Tasting some familiar favorites and making some new friends.

This week saw us taste some new vintages of our favorite wines. We were able to taste the new Parador’s (Learn more about Parador), Michel Turgy Champagne, La Pitchoune (Learn more about La Pitchoune), and Ca’ Vitorria Prosecco. What is even more exciting is that we discovered some new wines that may become future favorites of our clients. Including a Rhone wine from the Chateauneuf du Pape, a Riesling from Pfalz, and a Tressallier from the Saint Pourcain area of France.

That is what makes this job so great, and its why are clients love us. Not only do we get old favorites every year, but we are always discovering new great wines. Just like every week, here are SOME of our favorites from this weeks tastings.

2007 Parador ‘Reserva’ Red Wine, Napa Valley

Wine Spectrum 96: Reserva cuvèes are barrel-selected and aged at least an additional year in barrel. The total barrel aging is minimum 3 years prior to bottling. It is then aged in bottle for 5 years, totaling a minimum of 8 years of aging from the time of harvest. The 2007 Reserva is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Tempranillo. This Reserva displays round, juicy layers of baked raspberries and black cherries, with hints of dusty cocoa and just a touch of toasty oak. The palate shows robust red fruits, earthy minerality and hints of aged leathery spice. Soft tannins and a mouth-watering finish round out this unique vintage wine. Drinking well now, but can be layed down for another 5-10 years. 117 cases produced.

2005 Michel Turgy Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru, Champagne

Wine Spectrum 95: The same area of Champagne that boasts Salon, Krug and Launois….2005 was captured in all its mineral, fresh glory by winemaker Michel Turgy in this vibrant, chiseled vintage Champagne.  Rich floral and nutty components on the nose match the robust mineral and yeast that develop on the palate. Wonderfully fresh, with the depth and complexity found in grand cru white Burgundy.  One to treasure and watch evolve.  

2011 Saint Siffrein, Chateauneuf du Pape

Wine Spectrum 95: With vineyards located near Chateau Beaucastel, the 2011 vintage of our Chateuneuf du Pape has a glowing ruby red color, with freshly baked dark fruits and licorice spice on the nose. Its mouth is round, long and complex with abundant body and fruit as well as terrific purity and texture. A harmonious and elegant wine with soft, smooth tannins with a long finish. 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault. 

2013 La Pitchoune Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

Wine Spectrum 94+: This is the inaugural release of Chardonnay for La Pitchoune. Winemaker Andrew Berge simply outdid himself with this gorgeous 2013 offering. Sourced from the Cameron Vineyard in Sebastopol Hills and the Bootlegger Vineyard owned by Michael Browne (of Kosta Browne and Cirq), just 180 cases of this wine were produced. Fresh aromas of sea salt, meyer lemon chiffon, and limestone minerality are strikingly similar to a Grand Cru Chablis. On the palate, prominent flavors of lemon zest, limeade, and crushed rocks intermingle with a faint hint of vanillin and toasty oak. This Chardonnay is elegant, clean and mouth-watering, with bright, balanced acid and a long finish. With such a limited production, this wine is sure to sell out lightening fast. 

2013 Karl Schaefer Wachenheimer Sonnentropfen Riesling, Pfalz

Wine Spectrum 94: Dr. Job and Nana von Nell are the sixth generation to run the estate since its founding in 1843. The Karl Schaefer winery was one of the original members of the VDP, and the family’s historic terraced sites – among the few that still exist in today’s Pfälzer vinicultural landscape – are cultivated organically and biodynamically. For decades, Weingut Karl Schaefer in Bad Dürkheim has stood for wines that are delicate, distinct, complex, elegant, mineral-rich, and – by tradition – dry. The 2013 Riesling Wachenheimer Sonnentropfen is crisp and clean, with just a hint of sweetness. Ripe lychee and petrol on the nose, the palate explodes with flavors of peaches and apricots, and touches of racing minerality. 

 2014 Parador Rosé, Napa Valley

 Wine Spectrum 94: A saignee, barrel fermented dry and aged in three neutral French oak barrels for six months. This is the first Rose produced from the famous Stagecoach Vineyard – 1500 feet above the valley floor in the eastern hills above Oakville. The 2014 vintage of Rose is delightfully fresh and exotic. Wonderful layers of bright red fruits – such as macerated red cherries and fresh strawberries – intermingle with balanced acidity and an elegant finish. 100% Tempranillo. Just 47 cases produced. 

2014 Domaine Nebout, Saint Pourcain Blanc (Tressallier)

Wine Spectrum 92+: The Tressallier grape is native to Saint-Pourçain, and few other dry white wines deliver such invigorating bite, such bracing freshness.  Aromas combine wild jasmine, sea spray and oyster shells, with plenty of lemon and lime zest. The mouth is precise and cut, with lots of minerals and zesty energy, and is very floral and expressive. The finish invigorates with white pepper, chalk and fresh herbs.  100% Tressallier, a rare grape native to south-central France; all tank made.

NV Ca ‘Vittoria Brut Rose, Prosecco

Wine Spectrum 92: We’re reminded of the beautiful aromas of a lively Pinot Noir—earthy notes, small red berries, peppery spice—in the perfume of this unique rosé.  Made with Prosecco grapes with an added touch of Raboso, a native red Veneto varietal that contributes both color and aroma, as well as a bit of structure that too makes this wine an ideal food pair.  Bone dry but very full in the mouth, the Ca’Vittoria Brut Rosé shows good, lively acidity and a broad sweep of fruit, strawberries and blood oranges, blends with mineral zest and plenty of citrus on the finish.  Captivating and a sure crowd-pleaser!