5.11 – 5.15

For a printable PDF of this weekend’s notes, click here!

Sorelle Bronca Prosecco Superiore Brut 2020

Origin: Valdobbiadene, Italy
Retail:
$22.95 | Sale: $20.66

Antonella and Ersiliana Bronca took over their father’s winery and vineyards in 1988 and converted the vineyards to organic farming. Since then they have become known as one of the best producers in Prosecco and some of its earliest proponents of sustainable agriculture. If you ask other winemakers in Italy about the sisters they will speak fondly of times spent with them, the unique quality of their wines, and their passion. Just the basic Brut evolves constantly over 25 minutes showing apple, pear, green melon, lime, lemon, and lots of minerals. Ersiliana’s daughter, Elise, is now the 3rd generation to begin work at the winery. The estate has 14ha in 4 parcels ranging from 250-320 meters above sea level.  This Prosecco is truly stunning and will make many people rethink Prosecco.

100% Glera

Johan 'Farmlands’ Pinot Noir 2019

Origin: Willamette, Oregon
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46

Located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, within the Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Johan Vineyards is an 85-acre certified-Biodynamic estate winery. The goal is to create a self- sustained holistic farm system with the energy to produce an honest expression of itself to share with others. The team consists of an eclectic collective of winemakers, led by winemaker Morgan Beck. Each individual brings equal passion from distinctly different contexts; through constant collaboration and conversation we find synergy, resonance, and a greater truth. The grapes were hand picked and fermented in small batches using only native yeast – for both primary and malolactic fermentation. In early spring, after 7 months in the barrel, they select the barrels that we feel are the most approachable earlier, with the focus of making a wine that is vibrant and juicy, with a nice tannin structure and balance.

100% Pinot noir

Christophe Avi (Mary Taylor Selection) Buzet 2017

Origin: Southwest, France
Retail: $15.95 | Sale: $14.36

Upstream from Bordeaux along the Garonne River lie the vineyards of Buzet, just north of Armagnac and southwest of Cahors. Buzet was recognized as an Appellation in 1973, as its clay limestone soils are ideal for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Christophe Avi, winemaker at the Domaine du Bois du Simon, tends to these vines with the utmost respect for biodiversity of the terroir and this cuvée is vinified without oak. He is no stranger to the changes that each vintage can bring and 2017 offered a good year- the spring was sunny and sprinkled with some rain. The summer was a little drier than the previous one, and harvest was very pleasant. In this wine we feel the season’s slight dryness in the mouth, as the wines are warmer and have a little more substance. Biodynamically grown on 81 acres of clay and limestone soils, this merlot and cabernet blend sings with tiny berries and silky tannins. The 2017 offers a nose of robust fruits mixed with a smell of leather, foretelling a complex wine with great finesse. The delicate mouthfeel with its lightly expressive tannins and long finish promise a few years of keeping. 

80% Merlot / 20% Cabernet