Club Corner
July Rosé Club
Summer Vacation Rosé With our cold and grey summer in full effect, it’s nice to get away to somewhere warm, or at the least enjoy a nice rosé from a sunny locale. This month we have two rosés from coastal areas to help conjure those relaxing Mediterranean vibes. Both regions also share a long lived tradition of winemaking deeply intertwined with their local communities and landscape. Sitting in the northern section of the Vinho Verde DOC, Lima spans the Atlantic ocean to the west and the mountainous region bordering Trás-os-Montes to the east. Split in half by the Lima river and with some of the highest rainfall in the region, it has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and wet mild winters. It can lay claim to one of the oldest, if not the oldest town in Portugal, dating back 1125 AD, three years before Portugal began to split from Spain. Wines from this region were also some of the first to reach the rest of Europe in the 16th century, traveling north with cod. While the main white varietal here is Loureiro, native to this region of Portugal, the red grapes Vinhão (known as Souzão in the Douro Valley), Borraçal, and Espadeiro are the basis of their pink wines, which share the same signature effervescence as the whites. Though it only gained DOC status in 1995, Italy’s Costa d’Amalfi has a winemaking history dating back to 600 BC when the Greeks first planted vines. This tradition was continued by the Romans who located some of their earliest vineyards here as well. It was difficult work then, and remains so today. For while Amalfi’s sheer cliff faces and rugged terrain make for stunning views, the jagged landscape means vineyards have to be picked by hand, as mechanical harvesting is nearly impossible. This remoteness has actually helped protect the vineyards from succumbing to the tourism industry’s lucrative scythe, as has happened in the nearby islands of Capri and Ischia. In 1997, the entire Costa D’Amalfi was designated a UNESCO world heritage site, ensuring its specific history, culture and terroir will endure. As in the rest of the larger Campania region, Aglianico and Piedirosso (known here as Per ‘e Palumm) are the predominant red grapes here, grown on clay and limestone soils at high elevation, producing long lived wines. Think Pink, Justin Malesheetz PlumpJack Fillmore Wine Buyer Adega Cooperativa de Ponte da Barca ‘Este’ Vinho Verde Rosé Region/Country of Origin: DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal About the Winery: Beginning in 1963 but becoming properly active in 1968, this cooperative boasts over 1000 members and covers nearly 900 hectares (2224 acres) straddling the Lima, Vade, and Vez rivers around the municipalities of Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez in the central region of the Lima Valley where it is warmer and less humid than the coastal regions. They focus on the indigenous Portuguese varietals Loureiro and Vinhão, which thrive in the warm mediterranean weather About the Winemaking: 40% Vinhão, 30% Borraçal, and 30% Espadeiro pressed separately and fermented in temperature controlled vats. Tasting Notes: Pale pink veering towards salmon in the glass with a nose showing notes of strawberry, red cherry, and ruby grapefruit. Slightly effervescent and juicy on the palate with bright acidity and flavors of fresh ripe red berries and a citrusy, slightly saline finish of good length. Winemaker: José Oliveira Price per bottle / Price per case: $9.99 btl/ $107.89 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Fried green tomatoes, grilled seafood, ceviche, citrus salad Cantine Marisa Cuomo Costa d’Amalfi Rosato Region/Country of Origin: Costa d’Amalfi DOC, Italy About the Winery: Originally started in 1942 as part of a collective to sell the wines of the Furore Coast, Cantine was purchased in 1980 by Andrea Ferraiolo as a wedding gift to his wife, Marisa Cuomo. Since then, Marisa has dedicated herself to protecting and reviving native varietals and, along with oenologist Luigi Moio of the Quintodecimo Winery, crafting age worthy wines that can only come from the Amalfi Coast. About the Vineyard: Nestled in the hamlet of Vietri Sul Mare west of Salerno, the south facing terraced vineyards are carved into the Dolomitic-limestone cliffside 40-250 meters (130-800 feet) above the sea. Densely planted with the vines trained horizontally to produce air flow, protecting the grapes from disease pressure and too much sunlight during the summer months. About the Winemaking: 50% Aglianico and 50% Piedirosso hand picked from terraces 300-400 metres above sea level that is then pressed softly and cold macerated for 10-12 hours before fermentation to bring out not only a more vivid color, but also coax more flavor and aroma compounds from the wine. The wine is then fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 20 days and aged for a further 4 months. Tasting Notes: Pale pink with a nose of dried herbs and fresh red berries. Medium bodied and fresh on the palate with flavors of red cherry and pomegranate and a dry mineral finish that holds on. Winemaker: Marisa Cuomo Price per bottle / Price per case: $30.99 btl/ $371.88 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Antipasti, cioppino, pescado a la Veracruzana, pecorino, aged gouda
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October 2024 Wine of the Month Club
Portugal Portugal is famous for its wide array of wine regions, each presenting distinct varieties and styles. While many are aware of the Douro Valley, known for its Port wine and celebrated as one of the oldest wine-producing areas globally, the demand for Portuguese wines in the United States has been consistently rising in recent years, driven by a burgeoning interest in the country's varied wine selections. This month we've chosen to highlight two wines from regions beyond the Douro Valley, aiming to broaden your understanding of Portuguese wines and introduce you to different grape varieties. Bairrada is situated in northern-central Portugal between the Atlantic Ocean and the Dão region. Its proximity to the coast influences the climate, providing a unique terroir. The region has a mix of clay and limestone soils, which contribute to the distinct character of the wines. The Atlantic influence moderates temperatures and adds freshness. Famous for its sparkling wines and rich reds, particularly those made from the Baga grape, Bairrada is gaining recognition both nationally and internationally, making it an exciting region for wine enthusiasts to explore. Our red this month is called V Puro (“Puro” is the Portuguese word for pure) and is the passion project of two long-time friends, enologists, and viticulturists, Nuno Mira do Ó and João Soares. The pair love old vines and have a passion for hunting down and working with old vine Baga. Their discovery of an ancient vineyard in Bairrada with vines between 80 to 120 years of age sealed their partnership. Nuno is a first generation winemaker from an agricultural family. He studied agricultural engineering and fell in love with wines in college. Admittedly, he finds vines to be more interesting than cows, so he found his way to viticulture and then moved on to winemaking. From there he fell very fast for the old clones that made distinctly better wines than he found around him. Often it is one bottle of great wine that moves people into action, but in this case it was a dust-covered bottle of Baga found in the garage of a local farmer during a bit of vineyard negotiation that propelled Nuno from curiosity into perpetual motion. Despite the farmer not recalling the exact age, it was clearly old enough to be forgotten, made for household consumption, and uncorked for some time already.... and yet it sang as if it was young and well kept in a pristine cellar. He thought then if the grape could be this good, this old, without human care, then the vines that made it must be super stuff. And so the hunt began... Lisboa, the wine appellation along Portugal’s Atlantic Coast near Lisbon, stretches from the ocean to the foothills of the Serra de Sintra mountains. It has some of the country’s most historic vineyards, but beachfront development has mostly displaced viticulture in its various sub-regions such as Carcavelos, Bucelas, and, most famously, Colares, where vines grow wild on the beach, willing their way down through layers of sand to burrow into the clay underneath. Lisboa is primarily recognized for their white grape varieties such as Arinto, Fernão Pires, and Malvasia, which stand out due to their vibrant freshness and sharp acidity. These wines typically exhibit a crisp, aromatic profile, often revealing notes of flowers and citrus. This month’s white wine offers us a chance to experience the extreme terroir of Lisboa and its trove of native grapes, thanks to 93-year-old António Bernardino Paulo da Silva, who continues a family winemaking tradition that dates back to 1898. While other Portuguese wine firms look for large tracts of land to plant more-mainstream varieties like Touriga Nacional (along with “internationals” like Syrah), Paulo da Silva continues to contract with a wide array of tiny local farmers growing grapes most people have never heard of. Cheers, Carrie Upson-GM and Wine Buyer Paulo di Silva Casal da Azenha Cork Label White Region / Country of Origin: Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal About the winery: This house was founded in 1898 by António Bernardino da Silva Chitas in Azenhas do Mar, not far from Lisbon and sitting on the cliff sides of the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the oldest producers in the region and one who is resistant to the urban pressure that invades the land. His wines maintain the typicality and its original singular profile. About the winemaking: Comprised of Portuguese autochthonous grape varieties only; Arinto / Vital /Fernao Pires / others in a field blend style. The grapes were pressed and fermented in stainless-steel small vats remaining with the lees for 6 months. Tasting Notes: The aroma is quite charming. Air and time reveal a citrus fruit character and a sublime floral bouquet. The palate is delicate but expressive, lots of character here, immersing in the mineral overtones and finishing with the vibrancy and freshness typical in their white wines. Winemaker: António Bernardino da Silva Price: $25.99 btl/$280.69 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Bacalhau a Bras, Poke bowls, Orange, walnut, gorgonzola mixed green Salad with citrus dressing V Puro Doravonte Red Region / Country of Origin: D.O.C. Bairrada, Portugal About the Vineyards: The essence of V.Puro is identified with a singular vineyard with ancient vines in Bairrada, lying only a short drive from the Atlantic. The vines’ age runs between 80 to 120 years, and resemble twisted and fallen trees rather than those planted in formal, wire-trained rows. The elevation is nearly beach level. Baga and Touriga National are here for Tinto. Bical is the focus for the whites. Underfoot is limestone, sand and clay. The wines are named after the 2 vineyards: Doravante and Outrora, with Alias indicating the freshness within the vineyard. About the winemaking: This is born from a mixed vineyard parcel where Baga cohabitates with Touriga Nacional. In an attempt to capture the most delicate sides of these two Portuguese varieties, the 2 grapes (50% Baga and 50% Touriga Nacional) are harvested on the same day and fermented together in an oak vat, making a long and soft skin contact. 40% whole-cluster. No pump-overs, just gentle extraction. Aged in the conical wooden vats for one year before bottling. Tasting Notes: Reveals notes of cherry, plum, pepper and tobacco with a hint of wet clay and tomato jam. In the mouth it has an herbal freshness, with very fine tannins and a long finish. Its festive acidity and peppery finish have this wine practically begging for food. “A super fresh, elegant and fragrant wine with structure, herbal, floral and spicy notes, capable of giving great pleasure at any table.” 90 Points Wine Advocate Winemaker: Nuno Miro do Ó and João Soares Price: $24.99 btl/$269.89 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Apple and squash soup, Baked BBQ ribs, Steak au Poivre, Slow roast pork belly
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March 2024 Rosé Club
As we approach the summer sipping season, we want to clear up a few misconceptions about rosé wines and remind you that you can't judge a rosé by its color. Despite evidence to the contrary, it's a common assumption that pastel-pink rosé is dry while ruby-hued rosé is sweet. There's so much more to the nuanced tones of rosé than meets the eye. It's difficult to pin down exactly why the misleading color-coded assumptions are so prevalent among wine lovers, but theories abound. When it comes to rosé — from the palest pink to the richest ruby — color has absolutely nothing to do with sweetness. Let that sink in. Color is completely and totally a result of the maceration process, aka the time a vintner allows the red grape skins (rosé is always made from red grapes) and their juices to mingle after crushing. The longer they linger, the darker the color. Another misconception surrounds rosé of Zinfandel vs. white Zinfandel, which I’m here to report are NOT the same thing! During the 1970s in California, Bob Trinchero and the rest of the team at Sutter Home were trying to create a deeper, more intense Zinfandel. In order to achieve their desired result, they decided to skim off over 500 gallons of the liquid that had only been soaking with the skins for a few short days since the grapes had been pressed. Their thinking was that if they removed some of the liquid, the ratio of more skins to less remaining liquid would create the intense red Zinfandel they were looking for, much like using two tea bags instead of one brews a stronger cup. The issue then became, what the heck to do with the juice they had skimmed off. That juice had become a rosé, it had a pink color and was very dry, so they decided to bottle it and sell it to the public, but fearing consumers wouldn’t respond to the name rose, they called it White Zinfandel instead. Then 1975, while Sutter Home was making their White Zinfandel, they experienced a Stuck Fermentation, which basically means the yeast all die before they convert all the sugar to alcohol. The result was a wine that was boozy to be sure, but still had some sugar left behind, making it sweet. The wine was a massive success, no doubt driven by its drinkability and cheap price tag, and Sutter Home became the champion of the movement, creating the cheap, sweet wine in massive quantities. Although blush wines were popular, they were not respected. That sickly sweet white zin adored by housewives and found on every major grocery store shelf wasn’t popular among wine critics, who saw it as trashy. The general population soon took note. White zin disappeared from restaurant menus. It was as condemned as New Coke. The Keystone of the wine world. It died a quick death, and anyone respectable still drinking the stuff did so in private, away from the judging eyes of their peers. Think Pink! Carrie Upson- General Manager & Wine Buyer 2021 Pormenor Douro Rosé Location: Douro, Portugal About the Winemaker: Pormenor Vinhos is the dream of owner and winemaker Pedro Coelho. His goal is to free himself from the bounds of tradition in the Douro Valley. Pormenor translates to “details” and launched with the 2013 vintage, rooted in a fierce belief of what Pedro did not want from his wines: high alcohol, extraction, new oak. Instead, Pedro is locked in on the potential for Douro wines to show freshness, restrained alcohol, and elegance. One of the details Pedro insists on to deliver on this vision is old vines. With vines ranging from 45 to 100+ years primarily in the Douro Superior, he has found and secured incredibly rare vineyard material. Another important detail is sourcing grapes from high elevation vineyards which help combat the natural heat of the valley. He works with indigenous varieties only and fermentation is done through native, wild yeasts. About the Winemaking: Harvests are by hand, and Pedro’s aim is to make wines that reflect the beauty of the vines and land, transmitting the sense of place through the climate, soil, and vines of each harvest. To accomplish this, work in the cellar is a minimal intervention approach, with indigenous yeasts and low sulfur avoiding all unnatural additives. With low extraction and long macerations, Pormenor seeks elegant and mineral wines focused with natural freshness and high acidity that tend to be lower in alcohol. Tasting Notes: Clean and a light red in color. On the nose you might find good minerality and freshness with red fruit like strawberry and cherry. On the palate is a vibrant, crisp acidity, minerality, and salinity with good structure from the old vines and aging on the lees. The wine has an incredibly clean look and feel, and is only 11% ABV. . It is bright red, mineral in quality from the natural approach with fresh red fruits on the nose and mouth. The wine has good structure given the old vine grapes and can be enjoyed with or without food. Winemaker: Pedro Coelho Price: $23.99 btl/ $259.09 Suggested Food Pairing: Pasteis de Bacalhau Pasta salad Crab cakes Swordfish steaks 2023 Pedroncelli Rosé Location: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California About the Winemaker: Pedroncelli has been making rosé from Zinfandel for over 70 vintages. The Zinfandel grape defines their Rosé with fresh fruit flavor and a quaffable charm. Its crisp style, framed by berry and spice notes, sets our Rosé apart from all the others. The grapes were harvested from the critically acclaimed Bushnell Vineyard, which has been in the family and a source to the winery since the 1940s. Located on a high bench, the vineyard’s well-drained rocky soils and climate create the perfect combination for high-quality Zinfandel fruit. About The Winemaking: The vintage had a good start with plenty of rain to begin the season. Cooler than normal temperatures slowed the vineyard growth over the spring and summer. Slow ripening to maturity allowed the grapes to showcase more aromas and flavors than previous vintages. Highly aromatic, excellent quality. Once destemmed and pressed, the 100% free run juice is transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for a slow fermentation at 58 degrees F. The fruitiness of the Zinfandel grape lends a rounded and balanced flavor to the wine. Bottled a few months after harvest, the wine captures the vintage's freshness. Tasting Notes: Very aromatic! The fresh aromas of strawberry, rose petals, and spice are followed by flavors of red berries, cherry, and spice with a touch of citrus. It is nicely balanced between crisp acidity and refreshing fruit flavors. This Rosé is made to be enjoyed upon release. Winemaker: Montse Reese Price: $18.99 btl/$205.09 case Suggested Food Pairing: Paneer Chili BBQ pork ribs Lamb kebabs Frittata
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June 2023 Rose of the Month Club
Summer is here and we have it on good authority that means the time is right for dancing in the street – in Chicago, down in New Orleans, in New York City, across the ocean blue. Wherever you’re headed there’ll be music, sweet music - music everywhere - and also, probably, rosé. While the international vino scene is full of finicky grapes that freak out when they get too far from home, great rosé can, and increasingly does, throw down strong roots wherever there’s viticulture. Pick any spot on Planet Wine, and the local take on pink will be among the most reliable guides you’ll find. So for June, we’ve put together a globe-trotting itinerary that will whisk you from South America to Europe to Asia for three brand new variations on this universal beat. Doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you…Think Pink! Adega de Mońçao Muralhas Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Vinho Verde, Portugal About the Winery: Adega Cooperativa e Regional de Monção was born, as a result of the common ambition of a group of winegrowers, and plays a very important role in the socio-economic dynamism of the region of Monção and Melgaço, promoting the direct and indirect employment of hundreds and hundreds of people. Adega de Monção is home for those who make grapes their livelihood, hobby or family legacy. About the Winemaking: Selection of the best grapes. Must drop extraction. Decantation (24 hours at 14 C). Controlled fermentation between 16-18 c, followed by racking/Soutirage. Primary filtration then storage and cold stabilization. Final membrane filtering before bottling Tasting Notes: Its pink color is an omen of a soft and slightly sweet taste. Bright fruity character with loads of wild berry aromas. The palate is fresh and well-balanced with bright, clean, smooth and ever so lightly sweet flavors. The aromas of wild fruits envelop us, without ever losing its balanced profile. It persists, in memory and in the mouth. Winemaker: Adega de Mońçao is a co-op and they don’t have one winemaker, they have many. Price: $13.99 btl/$151.10 case Suggested food pairing: When tasted young and very fresh, it pairs perfectly with a seafood meal or fish dishes. Selendi Ongor Family Vineyard Rosé 2020 Region/Country of Origin: Sarnıç Valley, Turkey About the Winery: Selendi Winery is a Turkish wine producer located in the valley of Sarnickoy, high above the ancient town of Akhisar in the west of the country. It was the first estate bottled producer of the country with the inaugural vintage released in 2000. About the Winemaking: The family-owned estate meticulously practices organic farming, meaning no pesticides or chemical intervention of any kind in their process. Each vine is carefully and naturally tended to from seed to grape production, nurtured and pruned by people who live and work on the land. After a hand-pick in the vineyard, grapes are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at the winery. Tasting Notes: Joyous and balanced, this rosé blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Shiraz offers notes of citrus blossom, raspberries, watermelon jolly rancher, and bubble gum with bright acidity, soft tannins, and a long finish. Winemaker: Andrea Paoletti Price: $16.99 btl/$183.49 case Suggested Food Pairing: Enjoy with salmon, grilled vegetables or your favorite light cheeses. Los Vascos Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite Rosé 2021 Region/Country of Origin: Valley de Caneten, Colchagua Valley, Chile About the Winery: Los Vascos is located in Valle de Caneten (Colchagua), a closed valley in the central zone of Chile, approximately 25 miles from the sea. The valley provides a perfect microclimate for high quality viticulture, with Northern exposure to lands uncontaminated by airborne or water-borne pollutants. Daily on-shore winds provide temperature changes between 68-77°F, for optimum maturation of the grapes. With 1,581 acres planted on the over 10,000 acre estate, it is one of the largest vineyards in the central Colchagua valley, at the foot of Mount Cañeten. About the Winemaking: 60% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Mourvèdre. Grapes were harvested early in the morning, when temperatures were lower, in order to preserve the aromatic freshness of the grapes. At the winery, grapes were pressed directly and fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks to preserve their aromatic potential. The wine is aged in tanks to retain the purity of the fruit. Tasting Notes: Bright and crystal-clear, this wine has an alluring pale pink color. The nose exhibits an intense strawberry scent that mixes with a background of raspberry and sweet melon pear. A fresh, vivacious palate that presents a delicate structure and balanced acidity and develops into a lovely and gentle aftertaste. Winemaker: Philippe Rolet Price: $10.99 btl/$118.69 case Suggested Food Pairing: Chicken and veggie kebabs, Sopa de Mariscos, Pastel de jaiba (Crab pie) Photo by Dennis Vinther on Unsplash
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Q1 2022 Red Rogues- A Visit to Portugal
Portugal is a rare bird in the wine aviary. Roughly the size of the US state of Indiana, the Iberian nation that isn’t Spain occupies the far western edge of the Eurasian landmass and can claim a viticultural lineage as ancient as any of its neighbors. And yet compared to Spain, France or Italy, Portugal’s wines remain relatively obscure and unheralded abroad. Its three most famous oenological products constitute categories all their own; one being a physical product and the other two at opposite ends of the fermented grape juice spectrum. First and foremost is Port, the fortified dessert wine from the Douro region that, at its most rarified, can age for a century and command a six figure price. Then there’s Vinho Verde, as unlike its compatriot as possible, a light and slightly spritzy white, low in alcohol and generally among the most affordable wines on any store’s shelves. In between these extremes, Portuguese wine encompasses approximately 250 grape varietals, native and international, planted across dramatically variegated climates and terroirs. Whatever your favorite wine, there is a Portuguese equivalent that’s a relative bargain. Lastly, there is cork. Cork is one of Portugal’s biggest and most important exports. In fact, Portugal is the largest cork producer in the world and produces more than 50% of the world’s cork supply. The vast majority of this is made into wine bottle stoppers but, increasingly, more and more cork is being sold to the construction and fashion industries and even to the space industry. The best thing about cork, aside from being a good earner for Portugal, is that it’s sustainable. The trees aren’t cut down or damaged when the cork is harvested, and they can be harvested every 9 years for the lifetime of the tree (roughly 270 years). This being Red Rogues, we’re guessing you favor Tinto, so this quarter we’ve got three ideal ambassadors for Portugal’s remarkable red bounty. The first two are grown in the aforementioned Douro Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a bewitchingly beautiful corner of the world. Centered around the Douro River in northern Portugal, its dramatic mountain and hills are grooved with seemingly endless synchronized rows of terraced vineyards. The poor soils, mostly schist and granite, force the vines to dig deep into the earth for irrigation. The climate is defined by the Marão and Montemuro mountains that surround the area, protecting it from the cold Mediterranean winds and producing the classic continental duo of hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The Douro is divided into three sub regions; our selections both come from the Douro Superior DOC, which is the hottest and driest of the three. It is also the most inaccessible, which means that many of the wineries in the area are relatively new. (The place itself is ancient: the village of Vila Nova de Foz Côa in the heart of Douro Superior, is home to some of the oldest art in the world - wall paintings dating back to 20,000 BC.) The arid conditions tend to produce full bodied and aromatic reds that do well with a few years of aging. Barão de Vilar Zom’s Colecção 2011, a blend of Touriga Nationcial, Portugal’s most notable red grape, Touriga Franca, which Jancis Robinson has called “The Cabernet Franc to Touriga Nacional’s ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’”, and few other grapes from old Heritage vines, is a great example. Our second selection comes from the Teja Valley area of Douro Superior, which has a cooler climate than the rest of the DOC, and makes for consequently lighter wines. Conceito, meaning “concept”, is a relatively new endeavor, dating back to 2005, from some long standing wine-growers in the area. The grape is Bastardo (known as Trousseau in France) an early ripening and quite unique varietal that produces pale, leafy and slightly spicy reds. The final selection is from the Dão DOC, just south of Douro in north-central Portugal. Encircled by the Sierra de Estrala mountain range, Dão is greener and more verdant than the Douro, featuring large pine and eucalyptus forests that stretch from the Atlantic Coast to the Spanish border. Unlike Douro, vineyards do not dominate the landscape; just 5% of the land in the region is under vine. Dão is known Portugal’s Burgundy, due to local vintners focus on elegance and finesse, rather than power, and the higher natural acidity of the wines. M.O.B.’s Vinha Senna Tinto 2015 is half Touriga Nacional, the primary red grape of the region, and half hodgepodge of other native varietals. The grapes are foot-trodden in the ancient ‘lagar’ style, so named for the cement troughs built for this purpose, and still frequently employed in Portugal. Cheers! The PlumpJack Wine Buying Team 2011 Barão de Vilar Zom Colecção Location: Douro Superior, Douro DOC, Portugal About the Winery: The origins of the van Zeller family refer back to the 13th Century in the Netherlands, where they held several properties, namely, in the village of de Zellaer. During the 17th Century, in the rouse of the religious wars that ravaged the northern and central Europe at that time, the van Zellers migrated to Spain and Portugal, countries where they came to settle. Their connection to the wine business dates back 14 generations from the beginning of the 17th Century. About The Winemaking: After a careful vinification with controlled temperature and maceration, 40% of the wine was matured in new French oak barrels for a period of 18 months and a small parcel aged in stainless steel vats. Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and grapes of Old Heritage Vines. Tasting Notes: The ZOM Colecção Red, made from the noble Douro grapes, has a dark, inky red color and reveals its over-ripe red fruit aromas with a unique complexity and scents of wood. This wine finishes with a great elegancy and a memorable taste of stewed fruit, balanced tannins and long finish where you can taste the oak. A little on the savory side, this wine would also be great with cigar. Side Note: You’ll notice the unique bottle shape on this wine. Michelin starred Spanish chef Martin Berasategui has designed a bottle that decants wine sediments and keeps them from rising at the moment of pouring. The ‘Martin Berasategui System’ was conceived by the chef to encourage wineries not to have to filter their wines using harsh industrial methods. using his design he claims that the sediments are allowed to filter in a more ‘natural way’. Winemaker: Álvaro van Zeller Price per bottle/Price per case: $44 btl/ $475.20 case Suggested Food Pairings: Game meats Grilled steak Hard Cheeses 2019 Conceito Bastardo Location: Teja Valley, Douro, Portugal Winemaker’s Notes: Rita Ferreira Marques’s family has been growing grapes in the cool Teja valley, south of the Douro River, for generations, but Conceito was born in 2005 when she produced the family’s 1st commercial vintage. Vineyards are at high elevation or 450-600m and comprised of granitic and schistose soils. Together with Enologist, Manuel Sapage, and Viticulturist, Nuno Fernandes, they produce a stunning array of wines, some of the more traditional Douro set and others that break hard with many of those same traditions. Conceito owns 86 hectares of vineyards. They are all organically managed; with no use of pesticides our herbicides. About the Winemaking: Conceito Bastardo is made from family vineyards, planted about 50 years ago. The variety Bastardo (also known as Trousseau) ripens very early, in fact, much earlier than any other red variety. It was decided to vinify it in “lagar”, by foot treading and the use of native yeasts. Made since 2007, today it simply ages in stainless steel vats. From the first moment, Bastardo was a wine of passions, since its color tricks a distracted eye, which gets surprised by a spicy aroma, and a round, glycerine mouth, which makes it a real pleasure at the table. This wine ages very slowly in bottle, almost showing no change over the years. Tasting Notes: A rare 100% Bastardo wine from old vines, this is a pale cherry red in color, a sign that the grape ripens early. Wonderful sweet aromatics: warm herbs, cherry and red berry fruit. The palate is smooth, warm and sweetly fruited. Light and superbly elegant with lovely cherry and herb and leafy notes, and subtle tannins. The wine is crisp and will be delicious lightly chilled. Winemaker: Rita Ferreira Marques Price per bottle / Price per case: $38 btl/ $410.40 case Suggested Food Pairing: Asian food Tomato based dishes M.O.B. Vinha Senna Tinto 2015 Location: DOC Dão, Portugal Winemaker’s Notes: M.O.B., located in the Serra d'Estrela district of eastern Dão. This daring joint venture is named for the three talented winemakers behind it all: Jorge Moreira of Poeira, Francisco Olazabal from Quinta do Vale Meão, and Jorge Serôdio Borges of Quinta do Passadouro and Wine & Soul. The close-knit trio may have deep roots in the neighboring Douro Valley, but they unite under one desire: to represent the Dão in the truest form. While some winemakers in this region are mimicking a bolder Douro style, M.O.B. aims to craft wines that are intense, yet elegant: a style emblematic of the land. The leading vineyard, Quinta do Corujão, sits at an altitude of 1,640 feet beside Portugal's highest mountain range, Serra da Estrela. The vines in this area are planted in poor granitic soils, forcing their roots to dig deep in search of water and other nutrients. Cool, brisk air graces the vineyards at nightfall, encouraging elevated levels of natural acidity, while the soils impart a refined mineral character to the final wines: a combination that is unmistakably Dão. The trio aims to utilize an organic approach in the vineyards and hone their skills together, as a team, to create wines with true varietal character, unassailable elegance, and a compelling presence that would be difficult to refuse. About the winemaking: This wine is a blend of 50% Touriga Nacional; 30 % Alfrocheiro, 15 % Jaen, 5 % Baga from the granite soils of Quinta do Corujão. The Touriga Nacional is foot trodden in lagar, while the Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Baga are fermented in stainless steel tank at low temperatures with little extraction. Aged for 12 months 30 percent new and 70 percent used French oak barrels, then aged in bottle an additional 6 months. Tasting Notes: This is a wine with a beautiful violet color, very intense aromas of cassis, bergamot orange, and wild flowers. On the palate, it is fresh with soft tannins and pleasant acidity complimented by its velvety texture. A complex wine full of character that will evolve beautifully in the bottle over the coming years. Winemaker: Jorge Moreira, Francisco Olazabal, Jorge Serôdio Borges Price per bottle / Price per case: $40 btl/ $432 case Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled meats Bacalhau à gomes de sá Portuguese Sheep’s Milk Cheese
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