March 2025Wines of the Month

For the wine snob: The 2022 Pinot Noir was hand-picked, sorted, destemmed and put into open top fermenters, and was cold-soaked for 5-days. It was then fermented, pressed, and stored in French Oak barrels. In addition to growing these grapes on the Estate, they acquired fruit from a few local, family vineyards. 

For the rest of us: Bright ripe red cherry, plum, and warm silky berry aromas with hints of allspice. Rounded out with toasty vanilla and berry flavors, with a warm and velvety finish. Ripe fruit flavors are complemented by bright acidity and a gentle oak mid palate. This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with sauteed mushrooms, creamy brie cheese, duck and barbecued salmon. 

For the wine snob: The vines are grown traditionally. The grapes are harvested, pressed and the juice is directly brought at low temperatures in stainless tanks so the alcoholic fermentation does not start immediately and we can extract more aromas. Once the fermentation starts, the wine spends approximately 6 months on fine lees, until the malolactic fermentation is completed. Then a tartaric stabilization is achieved just before bottling. 

For the rest of us: With minerality as the strong backbone of this Chardonnay from Petit Chablis, this wine has loads of apple, pear, and white flower notes. The finish is crisp and clean which makes this easy to pair with fresh foods. Pairs well with crab cakes. 

For the wine snob: Today, the Sperone-Neirano group has become one of the major Italian wine producers, as evidenced in the following international awards: Decanter wine awards, IWC, IWSC, Mundus Vini. Neirano is proud to have an internationally certified production system (IFS). 

For the rest of us: Rich, silky, velvety, soft and with smooth tannins. Fruity notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and ripe tomato. Floral notes reminiscent of rose petal and violet. Pairs with boeuf bourginon, roast beef, and braised lamb.

For the wine snob: The Bécassonne cuvée comes from a unique plot, particularly suited for this production of white wine. A clay earth on a calcareous subsoil which all lies on a hill exposed to the rising sun but protected from the burning setting sun by a pine forest, allowing the grapes to fully ripen and to give a floral and exotic character to this wine while preserving a real freshness which is fairly rare for the White Côtes-du Rhône. 

For the rest of us: The cuvée is characterized by hints of floral and exotic fruits with exceptional climatic conditions that allowed an optimal maturation of the Roussanne and Clairette grapes. 

For the wine snob: Traditional stem-free on-the-skins fermentation for 7 to 15 days in steel at a controlled temperature. The wine matures for 24 months in casks made of Slavonian oak, and is then cellared for 6 months in the bottle prior to release. 

For the rest of us: Color is garnet red with intense, powerful fruit, dried flowers and underbrush on the nose. The palate is ndry, smooth and rounded, ending in a warm finish with nicely-balanced tannins. A natural match for roast and terrine meats, mature cheeses and fondues, meat and vegetable soups. 

For the wine snob: Whole-grape pressing, fermentation and barrel ageing with bâtonnage (stirring of the lees) are some of the rigorous winemaking methods used to make Château de Cruzeau white wines to obtain the finest expression of its terroir. 

For the rest of us: An attractive, fairly pale yellow color with a few silver highlights. The nose is very fresh, marked by Sauvignon aromas as well as citrus and exotic fruits. The attack is lively and fresh. This particularly pleasant freshness accompanies us throughout the tasting. The palate is richly aromatic, with delicious citrus notes mixed with a hint of brioche. Medium length. Pairs with smoked salmon and dill puff pastry, Scallops a la plancha, Normandy-style veal chop.

For the wine snob: Controlled fermentation at a controlled temperature of 28°C. Average duration of maceration: about 20 days. Malolactic fermentation in steel in November. Maturation of about 24 months in French and Slavonian oak barrels of variable size up to 60 hl, aged from new to 10 years. 

For the rest of us: Vibrant garnet red in color. Delicately perfumed with aromas of ripe red berries and rose petals. Medium bodied and balanced with well-structured tannin. Ideal with well-matured cheeses, duck, polenta and truffle dishes. 

For the wine snob: Moccagatta Chardonnay is an excellent Piedmont white wine produced with grapes grown in three different vineyards on the hills of Barbaresco, in the heart of the Langhe.   

For the rest of us: Beautiful intense straw yellow color. The nose exudes a fresh, mineral bouquet, with ample notes of apple and ripe citrus with light nuances of bread crust. On the palate it is harmonious and fresh. With a well-balanced acidity, Moccagatta’s Chardonnay is perfect to drink fresh as an aperitif or in combination with first courses based on fish, shellfish, seafood and fresh cheeses.