April 2022Wines of the Month

For the wine snob: The history of Viña Pedrosa begins with Mauro Pérez and the lands that he worked and loved throughout his life. An industrious man with innate intelligence, he knew how to transmit to his children respect for the land and a taste for a job well done. The vineyards that he left to his family are the basis of the current winery, located in the Burgos town of Pedrosa de Duero.  Thanks to the excellent characteristics and extension of the family vineyard, Viña Pedrosa is one of the few wineries in the DO Ribera del Duero that manages to be self-sufficient, thus guaranteeing the highest quality from the origin with an average annual production of 600,000 bottles.

For the rest of us: 100% Tempernillo, Intense red with some brick red hues. Complex and very complete on the nose, revealing an elegant fruity bouquet of berries and ripe fruits with a high intensity of ageing sensations (spices, balsamic, chocolates). On the palate it is broad, powerful and with great volume, soft and round tannins that give a quick and highly aromatic finish.

For the wine snob: Paolo Scavino owns 30 hectares entirely in the Barolo area and works on 20 Barolo historical crus located in Castiglione Falletto, Barolo, La Morra, Novello, Serralunga d’Alba, Verduno, Roddi and Monforte d’Alba.  The Scavino family distinguishes itself from the beginning by their scrupulous care of the vineyards and passion for terroir. Their core beliefs is the supremacy of the viticulture above the oenology therefore the focus is the care of the vines in order to grow ripe and healthy grapes.

For the rest of us: The Langhe Sorriso is Paulo Scavino’s key white wine made from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier.  With pale yellow and emerald hues, this white blend has aromas of white flowers, sage yellow and orange fruits in addition to mineral notes.  The delicate flavors continue on the palate where a soft texture is combined with sapid and cleansing acidity.

For the wine snob:  Buil and Giné is named for Xavi Buil’s grandfather, Joan Giné, who made wine and raised his son and grandson in these dramatic vineyards. The winery itself was established in 1998 in the heart of Priorat, Gratallops, among the steep slate strewn slopes that the region is famous for.  Giné Giné is the first wine Buil & Giné ever made. It is said to be the “finest introduction” to the essence of Priorat. If you don’t know anything about the Priorat, or you do know it and you want to recover the essence, this is your wine. The wine is fresh, fruity with minerals, as a Priorat must be. It is a wine made for all seasons.

For the rest of us: A traditional expression using only Garnacha and Carignan, this offers aromas of red fruits, flowers, and earthy minerality that lead to a palate of rich and savory red fruits, subtle peppercorn spiciness, and a long, smooth finish.  It combines very well with foods with floral touches, with aromatic herbs, pepper, anise or cinnamon, balsamic touches, toast or pastries, and also with robust, meaty fish.

For the wine snob: Gómez Cruzado is the boutique winery of Barrio de la Estación in Haro. Founded in 1886 this winery is located in a century-old house, where the details and typicity of fine wines receive the utmost respect. The starting point for the quality of Gómez Cruzado wines is the vineyard that makes up the  traditional landscape , made up of small ‘hawthorns’ of old vineyards cultivated in the highest areas of Rioja Alta and Alavesa, where it is possible to produce  great wines with attachment to the land . A heritage that comes from the ancestral practice of  sustainable and reasoned viticulture . The Gómez Cruzado wines are thus born in the vineyard with a mixture of grapes from almost  100 different controlled plots , divided into three perfectly defined areas.

For  the rest of us: 75% Viura and 25% Tempernillo, This Rioja Blanco is classic and poised with a complex nose highlighted by notes of honeysuckle, stone fruit and subtle oak. The palate is beautifully textured, with an almost exotic note, perfectly integrated oak and ripe fruit. Complex with a long citrus finish.

For the wine snob: This Petite Sirah is crafted from two complimentary vineyards in the Napa Valley. Oso Vineyard which is located between Howell Mountain and Sugarloaf on the east side of Napa, and Langtry Vineyard located just outside of Pope Valley in the Northeastern corner of the Napa Valley. These two vineyards marry perfectly together by bringing power, elegance, structure and grace into one, resulting in a beautiful expression of the most underrated varietals in the Napa Valley.

For the rest of us: 100% Petite Sirah, exhibits the classic deep, dark, purple hue, unveiling wild blackberries, mulberries, black currants and crème de casis with hints of violets, Asian spice and black tea. This full bodied wine is graced with remarkable poise, a beautiful texture and integrated, elegant tannins leading into the long persistent finish.

For the wine snob John and Tracey Skupny have spent most of their adult lives involved with wine and wineries. Their love affair with wines has finally resulted in the creation of their own venture.  Through connections built up over decades, John has been able to source prime vineyards for what are arguably the best examples, to date, of Napa Valley Cabernet Franc. With vineyard sources as diverse as Calistoga , Atlas Peak, Rutherford and St. Helena, the Skupnys have given us wines that delight the palate.  Named after our two sons, J Reed and Jerzy Lang, they’re committed to having Lang & Reed Napa Valley be strictly family owned and operated. Winemaking has become storytelling for them, and their wines tell the story of their family and wonderful life together.

For the rest of us: 100% Chenin Blanc, Peach skin and pear fruit slowly waft from the glass. Clear, precise palate with deep flavors and saline minerality.

For the wine snob: In 1976 Anne-Marie Liegeois said goodbye to her life in Champagne, France and left for the United States with her new husband Tom Hedges. The DLD Syrah is an homage to both the Dupont and Liegeois sides of her family. This wine is dedicated to her grand-father Marcel Dupont, Chevalier du Tastevin and bon-vivant, lover of good food and great wines. Grown on a 15 acre vineyard, named Les Gosses, this wine displays the greatest qualities of low yield farming. Earth, fennel spice and structure, the hallmarks of a great Red Mountain syrah, framed by classic French Oak barrels.

For the rest of us: 100% Syrah,  is a wonderful balance of sweet and savory, fruity and smoky. There is a hint of tart reddish blue fruits, some graphite, toasted spices, crushed graham cracker and rosemary shortbread. Flavors of toasted spice and blueberry muffin are lifted into your mouth with a bright acidity and then they linger on your palate with a long and balanced finish.  This wine is refined and worldly, but with a distinct sense of place.

For the wine Snob: Domaine Dozon is located south of Chinon, on the left bank of the Vienne. Originally a traditional livestock and produce farm, they turned to viticulture with the acquisition of 5 ha within the renowned Clos de Saut au Loup in the early 20th century. Eric Santier, a Chinon native, purchased the Domaine in 2013 from Laure Dozon, with help from the esteemed Baudry family, for whom he had worked. Some of the older, less desirable barrels were discarded, replaced with fiberglass tanks and Santier now seeks to make more pure and fresh expressions of wine from his village. This is clean, mindful, and traditional winemaking at its best.

 For the Rest of us: 100% Chinon, this Chinon Blanc is pale yellow in color. At first taste you will find notes of vanilla and white flower.  A frank attack on the palate, dry, and ending with a persistent finish.