For A Printable PDF Of This Weekend’s Notes, Click Here!
Les Folies Vouvray 2022
Origin: Loire Valley, France
Retail: $19.95 | Sale: $17.76
Alain de la Treille was born in 1925 in the heart of the Touraine vineyards. A farmer and wine enthusiast, he spent his life promoting the Touraine area and Loire Valley wines. During his career, he met Jean-Claude Bougrier, a winemaker, and they became good friends who could spend hours talking about Loire Valley style, terroir, and how to improve the vinification process. When Alain passed away in 1985, Jean-Claude decided to create a wine brand to pay tribute to his good friend, and Alain de la Treille wines were born. Jean-Claude’s son Noël took over in 1988, becoming the fifth generation of his family to make wine. He was joined by his son Nicolas in 2015, and the two generations still work together to carry out their only goal of revealing the best expression of the Loire Valley. Daughter Sophie represents the family both in France and abroad. This Vouvray Chenin Blanc is stunning, elegant and fresh, with a soft and ripe fruit palate marrying hints of honey and apricots. Pure and delicate pear and white fruit aromas with a hint of honey and a fine acidity on the finish. 100% Chenin Blanc
Château de Ségriès Tavel Rosé 2022
Origin: Rhone Valley, France
Retail: $24.95 | Sale: $22.46
Owner Henri de Lanzac (cousin of the Delorme family of Domaine de la Mordorée) purchased Chateau de Segries in 1994 from the founder of the Lirac AOC. Located between (and shared by) Lirac and Tavel, it is perhaps the best terroir for red wine, the windy plateau Vallongue. The vineyards on this plateau are full of ‘galets roulés’ – these hard, dense silica-rolled pebbles absorb heat during the day & return it to the vines at night. Their presence also allows for deep vine roots, which results in outstanding terroir. Ségriès, along with Domaine de la Mordorée and Domaine Grand Veneur, use grapes from this area. Beautiful ripe cherry and red berry aromas with floral scents. Good concentration on the palate, flavorful and perfectly balanced. Good acidity and mineral backbone make it a great match with Provencal or Asian cuisine, grilled meat, fresh fruit salads. 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Clairette, 10% Syrah
Torelló Special Edition Cava Brut 2018
Origin: Catalonia, Spain
Retail: $27.95 | Sale: $25.16
The Torelló family history at their winery goes back to 1395 making current owner Ernestia Torelló the 23rd generation of grape growers in her family. Torelló only produces lengthy aged sparkling wines (Corpinat), white, rosé, and red DO Penedés still wines and extra virgin olive oil. All the sparkling Corpinnat wines and still wines from Torelló have their origin in the vineyards of Can Marti. The 135 hectares of estate wine has been associated with the Torello family since 1395 and located in the fertile region of Penedès. The wine offers a straw yellow color, clean, transparent, fine, and persistent bubbles with a rosary formation. In the nose fresh pear aromas stand out along with delicious notes of pastry cream, white flowers, and candied fruits. On the palate, good balance and acidity. Powerful and flavorful with white flowers and notes of brioche, almond and great length. 37% Macabeu, 44% Xarel·lo, 11% Chardonnay & 8% Parellada
Bodegas Luis Cañas Rioja Crianza 2020
Origin: Rioja Alavesa, Spain
Retail: $22.95 | Sale: $20.66
In 1970 Luis Cañas changed two hundred years of tradition and became the first winemaker in Rioja Alavesa to bottle his young wine rather than sell it as bulk. This bold move, and his continued pioneering spirit, has cemented the winery's enviable reputation as one of the most progressive in the region. Sheltered below the watchful Sierra Cantabria, the vineyards are all old, small plots on chalky-clay soils with a dedicated team of vineyard workers carrying out organic practices and a purpose built, fully equipped accommodation block was built for the entire vineyard team in 2006. With 350 hectares of outstanding vineyards, split across 870 different plots, the viticultural department controls every aspect. Each of the plots has its own personality and is categorized and used for different wines according to its characteristics. All wines undergo a double selection process and are aged in new French and American oak barrels from among the best cooperages in the world. Aged for one year in 60% French and 40% American oak. Intense nose with red fruit, subtle spices, and balanced acidity and freshness. Field blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Viura, and Rojal.