September 2022Wines of the Month

For the wine snob: Steep slopes located around the town of Porrera. The Garnacha is from El Menescal – Mas d’en Pubill is 450 meters above sea level with a South exposure, while the Cabernet Sauvignon is from Coma d’en Romeu, 400m alt. South/South-West slope.

For the rest of us: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Garnacha. Aromas of red berry, violet, smokey with fresh tobacco and licorice. It is fresh, juicy and focused with a silky texture. Concentrated blueberry and cherry flavors with a spicy and lingering finish.

For the wine snob: Sustainable, biodynamic practices, harmony of production phases and empathy with all forms of life are the values that guide the Corte Sant’Alda in order to determine the suitable conditions to obtain wines emblematic and high value. The company, headed by Marinella Camerani, a woman full of talent and with a clear mind, with her husband Cesar and his daughter Francesca, boasts a vineyard of up to 20 hectares, conducted a biological system and implanted on a land rich in calcareous deposits. During production, respect for nature and the attention to the balance of the ecosystem are combined with innovation and experimentation as well as casks of different woods, in cement tanks of all shapes, the desire to improve and exceed all expectations also included the use of fiberglass tanks and amphorae. Portrayed with various certifications, the wines of Corte Sant’Alda are characterized by extraordinary refinement and stylistic accuracy that is the result of talent and research, but also a demanding philosophy pursuing the balance and harmony in every stage, from work in the vineyard to the tasting in the glass.

For the rest of us: 80% Garganega, 15% Trebbiano di Soave, 5% Chardonnay. On the nose of the Corte Sant’Alda Soave, stone fruit and citrus zest, finishing on a dusty chalk minerality. The lively palate reflects the nose, evoking mature apple and tangy nectarine while a pleasant bitter almond note drives the finish. A great example of how fruit and minerality each play their part in Soave.

For the wine snob: Hazel Wine Company was inspired by many years of harvesting and crushing with wineries of friends turned family in Dayton and Yamhill-Carlton. Our name is inspired by the bounty of this unique farming region and we are guided by the commitment our community has to sustainable and earth friendly practices. Both the Pinot Noir grape and the Hazel tree thrive in the volcanic soils and mountains of this Maritime climate which yield only the highest quality of each. We remain focused on highlighting the Willamette Valley and respecting all things rooted in Nature.

For the rest of us: 100% Pinot Noir. We utilize 3 vineyards within the Eola-Amity AVA in the production of our 2019 release. The wine features floral and earthy notes highlight the aromas and bouquet of our Pinot Noir before blossoming into flavors of dark cherry, raspberry, black tea, and a subtle hint of vanilla from the Oak barrels. Enjoy this Pinot Noir with cheeses, salads, chicken, lean meats and wild salmon.

For the wine snob: This wine is a true Vin Gris Rosé. Harvesting the vineyard in the early morning hours to preserve acidity, the fruit was whole-cluster pressed and fermented in 100% stainless steel. This method allows for little to no skin maceration producing a delicate, pale pink wine. Fermenting in stainless steel at cool temperatures allows the Pinot Noir to retain its innate bright strawberry characteristics and crisp acidity.

For  the rest of us: 100% Pinot Noir. Very dry. Tart raspberry and tiny French strawberry tones. Super-crisp acidity.

For the wine snob: 100% destemming and crushing by hand directly into small open top fermentation tanks. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation AT 30ºCentigrade with the cap of skins punched down two to four times a day for 12 to 14 days. Wine drained directly to barrels together with single pressing from traditional basket press. All de Trafford red wines undergo malolactic fermentation in barrels. 35% new French oak was used from high-quality coopers. Nineteen months barrel ageing, with several rackings to gradually clarify the wine. This wine was bottled unfiltered by hand on the property 189 cases made only.

For the rest of us: Attractive bright red fruit on the nose with typical spicy, dry leaf Cabernet Franc notes. A subtle dusty cedar from the barrel maturation adds complexity. Soft bright red fruit on palate with nice ripeness and elegant understated structure.

For the wine snob: The history of J.Denuzière began in 1876 at the heart of a region with a 2000-year wine heritage. The story continues to be written today.At that time, Joanny Paret, founder of the winery based in Condrieu had the objective to develop the reputation of the local wines in the Rhône cafés and bistros by distributing them with his team of horses. After doing so for 40 years, his son, Joseph Paret took over and successfully grew the family business over the following decades thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit. Paret Wines then became Denuzière Wines when Pierre Denuzière, Joseph Paret’s son-in-law, succeeded his father-in-law in the 1940s. For 80 years, the name “Denuzière” has been part of the wine-growing landscape in the Rhône Valley. Today, the J.Denuzière micro-cuvées are shaped by this Condrieu heritage which has been strengthened through the vintages.

For the rest of us: The Saint-Joseph Blanc is produced purely from Marsanne. In the bouquet it shows fine, floral notes of jasmine and sea buckthorn, and delicate herbal notes. Full-bodied, mouth-filling start of ripe plum fruit, yellow pear and honeydew melon with an intense note of spice, almost spicy. Blessed with fine melting and complex, mineral play, it ends with astonishing complexity in a long, wonderful finale.

For the wine snob: Andrew Rich has a long and storied career in wine. Starting out as a magazine editor in NYC, he decided to change his course by enrolling in school in Burgundy for winemaking. Coming back to the states and landing in California, Andrew caught a great opportunity with the funky and offbeat Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz. He worked together with equally funky and offbeat Randall Grahm for 5 vintages getting practical experience and honing his style. It was here that Andrew developed a penchant for Rhone wines, which have become the focus of a serious following in the wine world in addition to his iconic Pinot noir. Coming to Oregon was another roll of the dice that panned out well for our protagonist. He casually accepted an invitation from his only fellow American schoolmate from Burgundy and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest.

For the rest of us:  54% Syrah, 31% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache. Nearly all of the fruit for this blend comes from the great Ciel du Cheval vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA. Dense and full-bodied, this maintains a really nice sense of balance, with silky tannins that line a core of pretty red fruits, with tobacco leaf, smoke and scorched earth undertones.

For the wine Snob: Our Bella Vigna label is curated from our estate vineyards in the Sonoma Coast appellation. We wanted to create an appellation blend that reflects the characteristics of our Sonoma Coast vineyards and is still true to our Martinelli style. Bella Vigna translates to ‘Beautiful Vines”, so our winemaking team chose barrels that best denote the flavor profiles of our vineyards, showcasing how beautiful the fruit from the Sonoma Coast can be

For the Rest of us: Our 2018 Bella Vigna Chardonnay is expressive on the nose with aromas of lemon, fresh earth, and white flowers. Bright on the palate with flavors of powdered sugar, candied citrus, and pineapple cake, this wine has an extremely balanced finish.