For a printable PDF of this weekend’s notes, click here!
Les 13 Lunes ‘13 Bulles’ Jacquère Pet Nat 2021
Origin: Rhone, France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
Sylvain and Anne Liotard create several wines from their biodynamic winery in the Savoie region of France. Sylvain describes himself as “chef de lui-meme, vigneron” translating to someone who is fiercely independent and his own boss. Focusing on natural methods, indigenous yeasts, and organic growing methods, the couple maintain a selection of well-crafted wines. 13 Bulles is a pet nat from Jacquere grapes with a beautiful straw color and refreshing bubbles. It is non disgorged and therefore can have a bit of cloudiness that should not interfere with its refreshing clarity of taste. A great wine for the end of an afternoon, or the end of a meal, this wine brings aromas of pear and apple and a clean finish.
100% Jacquere
Ovum Big Salt 2021
Origin: Dundee, Oregon
Retail: $19.95 | Sale: $17.95
Husband and wife team John and Ksenija House are at the helm of sustainable and organic winemaking at Oregon’s Ovum winery. Ovum winery prides itself on low-intervention winemaking where the grapes and place are celebrated. White wines are Ovum’s focus and speciality and Big Salt is no exception. With a name inspired by the Oregon coast, Big Salt brings hints of saline and minerality to this white blend. The grapes are co-fermented in stages and then finished in stainless steel. Summery citrus flavors of lemon, sweet grapefruit and bergamot are complemented by bright acidity and a dry finish and make for a perfect warm-weather drink.
50% Riesling, 30% Gewurztraminer, 14% Early Muscat, 3% Sauv Blanc
Chateau Puech-Haut ‘Argali’ Rose 2021
Origin: Languedoc, France
Retail: $21.95 | Sale: $19.76
Nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean and the foothills of the Cevennes region of southern France, Chateau Puech-Haut’s vineyards span 625 acres in Côteaux du Languedoc AOC, including 230 acres in Saint Drézéry and 55 acres in Pic Saint Loup. The estate’s vineyards are mainly planted to Syrah, Grenache, Carignan (50-60-year-old vines), Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne.
The history of Château Puech-Haut is above all the story of Gérard Bru, a visionary man who built his vineyard just as he built his own life: starting from nothing and creating and achieving a dream without question.Yields were lower than 2019, being the lower harvest quantity registered. At the same time wines offer good balance between elegance, freshness and complexity. After a soft press, direction to our stainless steel tanks to fine the juice with some Pea Puree. Alcoholic fermentation and aging on lees are done in the same tanks. In order to reduce the amount of total sulfites, all the process is inerted with azote gaz that we produce on site. Pale pink in color with a fresh nose of exotic fruits. The palate is fresh and crispy. It is a thirst-quenching rose perfect for Spring.
60% Grenache, 40% Cinsault
Domaine Finot Turk Mountain Vineyards Malbec 2020
Origin: Monticello, VA
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
Matthieu was born in Crozes Hermitage in the Rhone Valley of France. Coming from a family of viticulturists and wine lovers, Matthieu was predisposed to continue his family’s pursuit of making and enjoying wine. He first studied viticulture and oenology at Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. After graduating in 1995, Matthieu worked in many different wine regions around France including Rhone Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence, and Jura. He then worked in Italy and South Africa to gain experience around the world before settling in Virginia. Since arriving in 2003, Matthieu has worked with wineries throughout the state and, more recently, is a founding member of the Winemakers’ Research Exchange and Board Member of the Monticello Wine Trail. Turk Mountain is nestled on the eastern foothill of the Blue Ridge mountain, in the heart of the Virginia Monticello wine district at the ideal elevation of 1,100 Ft above sea level atop its own little mountain, the vineyard benefits from an exceptional location: deep loamy soil on granitic bedrock, hill top subject to constant thermal drafts
as soon as the sun shines, North South sun exposure with the added protection from westerly violent storms by a mature forest. Matthieu has been able
to find a great spot where place and process have come together.
He is using Turk Mountain to explore a different direction for Virginia wine. Whole clutter fermentations, low-to-no sulfite use and no fining or filtering. This a very vibrant and fresh expression of a grape that is not frequently grown in Virginia. Your lamb dish has a new best friend.
100% Malbec