11.17 – 11.20

 

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

Red Tail Ridge Riesling Sekt 2016

Red Tail Ridge Riesling Sekt 2016

Origin: Finger Lakes, New York
Retail:
$32.95 | $29.66

​With a cool climate similar to regions in Europe, the Fingers Lakes is the perfect place to experiment. It was important to Michael and Cathy to set us up for the long-term, which is why they became a LEED-gold certified green winery, currently the only one in New York State. This community and environment is everything I could have hoped for when considering where to experiment, grow and give back. This Riesling hosts bold aromas of orange blossom and lime zest accentuated with hints of lemongrass.The finest bubbles are elevated by a focused acidity and a lean crisp body. A plucky front palette bursts with Granny Smith apple and key lime integrated with structural undertones of minerality. Lean and precise. First 48 case disgorgement. 4 g/L dosage.

100% Riesling

Origin Chardonnay 2021

Origin Chardonnay 2021

Origin: Santa Barbara, California
Retail:
$19.95 | $17.96 

The fruit was hand-picked at optimal ripeness and acidity to capture the best attributes of each site. Then, whole-cluster pressed to preserve the aromatics. A quarter of the wine was barrel fermented in French oak and the rest in stainless steel for freshness. The wine was aged on the lees for six months. In the glass, the wine shows great freshness and clean lines, with citrus, honeysuckle, and faint jasmine aromas. On the palate, fresh Granny Smith apple, lemon zest, and kiwi fruit flavors are supported with graham cracker crust oak notes. The wine is medium-bodied with enough weight and density to pair with heavier dishes while remaining light on its feet with a nice pop of refreshing juiciness and zip.

100% Chardonnay

Aplanta Red 2019

Aplanta Red 2019

Origin: Alentejo, Portugal
Retail: $11.95 | Sale: $10.76                                  

Alentejo, in the south of Portugal, is one of the more arid growing areas in Western Europe. The Mourão sub-region has no highways or airports, and its people were determined to continue a rustic, agrarian existence until the finalization of the Alqueva Dam in 2004. The old village of Aldeia da Luz was below the proposed waterline of the planned reservoir, but the benefits that the project would bring were such that the village could not be spared. After consultation with the villagers the authorities rebuilt Luz a couple of kilometers away on higher ground. This relocation included planting both a 200-hectare olive grove and an 83-hectare vineyard that today belong to and are farmed by the 74 permanent denizens of the village. It is from here that the fruit for Aplanta comes. On the nose, lush blueberry, plum and red cherry aromas, overlaid with slate mineral. On the palate, a core of red cherry and blueberry fruit is wrapped with hints of fresh tobacco, black pepper and spice. Plush and refreshing all at once.

70% Aragonez, 30% Alicante Bouschet

Bloodroot Pinot Noir 2021

Bloodroot Pinot Noir 2021

Origin: Sonoma Coast, California   
Retail:
$24.95 | Sale: $22.46

The spirit of BloodRoot is simple - make wines that reflect the soul of the place, and make them at a quality and price level that make them absolute no-brainers to drink.  Spearheaded by Noah and Kelly Dorrance of Reeve Wines, BloodRoot is a collaboration between esteemed winemakers with great vineyard sourcing who have come together to make masterful, value-minded wines. Sourced from multiple benchmark vineyards throughout California’s most respected wine growing regions, reflecting the soul of each place, creating wines that are timeless expressions of California’s dynamic terroir. On the nose with lush scents of freshly macerated red and black berries, muddled with warm spice and notes of autumn forest. The palate is highlighted with dark plum and hints of citrus rind which carries through with great length.

100% Pinot Noir