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Just In Case Fall 2024 Tasting Notes
October finds us putting on an extra layer, craving pumpkin spice, and wanting to snuggle up by the fire as the days get shorter and the temperatures get cooler, so this month we will be taking a look at a broader scope of wines that have a "fall" feel. While we have the typical richer red and white wines, there are also some lighter wines that, while not your typical fall wines, pair well with a range of dishes that can typically be had during the season. Maison Noir Horseshoes and Hand Grenades Region: Oregon & Washington, USA Syrah from the Rogue Valley in Oregon with Merlot and Cabernet from Red Mountain in Washington aged in barrel for 10 months. Deep ruby veering closer to purple in the glass with notes of blackberry preserves, black cherry, and baking spices on the nose. Opulent and full bodied with velvety tannins and balanced acidity on the lush palate showing flavors of black cherry and cocoa. Winemaker: Andre Hueston Mack Price: $22.99 per bottle / $249.49 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Burgers, BBQ, prime rib, grilled portobello mushrooms Leo Steen Casa Verde Red Blend Region: Redwood Valley, CA USA A field blend including Carignan, Grenache, Colombard, Barbera, and Cabernet Sauvignon that underwent carbonic maceration for 8 days and then finished fermentation in stainless steel tanks before being aged on the lees in a combination of steel drums and used barrels. Purple in the glass with notes of red cherry, raspberry, and violet on the nose. Medium bodied and floral on the palate with just enough tannins to help frame the lively acidity with notes of strawberry, red cherry, and fresh earth on the juicy finish Winemaker: Leo Hansen Price: $24.99 per bottle / $271.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Roast lamb, mushroom pizza, turkey César Marquez Parajes Region: Bierzo, Spain 85% Mencia, 7% Alicante Bouschet, and 8% field blend of miscellaneous red and white varietals from a variety of sites in Bierzo. Each plot was fermented separately with ambient yeast in large open top barrels and a range of whole cluster fermentation from as low as 15% all the way up to 100% and between 15 and 60 days. The wines were then aged for a year in large older barrels before being blended together. Ruby in the glass with a floral and nose and notes of black fruit. Medium bodied with velvety tannin and fresh acidity and notes of red currant, pomegranate on the juicy finish Winemaker: César Marquez Perez Price: $24.99 per bottle / $ 271.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Cajun chicken, pork chop, quesabirria Anthony Thevenet Beaujolais-Village Region: Beaujolais, France 100% Gamay that undergoes carbonic maceration for 10-25 days and is fermented with ambient yeast. The wine is then aged for 6 months in neutral oak demi-muids and is bottle unfined and unfiltered. Pale ruby in the glass with a fresh nose of red cherry and strawberry. Medium bodied and juicy on the palate with a streak of minerality on the finish. Winemaker: Anthony Thevenet Price: $24.99 per bottle / $ 271.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Turkey, ham, curry, roast chicken Fabien Demois Les Duex Rives Chinon Region: Loire Valley, France 100% Cabernet Franc fermented in concrete with ambient yeasts and aged in stainless steel. Medium ruby leaning towards purple with a nose of fresh raspberry, earth, and bell pepper on the nose. Lighter bodied with light tannins and medium acid on the crunchy finish showing notes of blackberry, strawberry, and red plum. Winemaker: Fabien Demois Price: $19.99 per bottle / $217.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Roasted eggplant, grilled lamb, spinach salad Cleto Chiarli Organic Lambrusco di Modena Region: Emilia-romagna, Italy 100% Lambrusco di Sorbara that undergoes a single fermentation under pressure instead of the two that is typical of Sparkling wine. Afterwards the wine is aged for 2 months in stainless steel with lees contact followed by one month in bottle. Medium ruby in the glass with notes of pomegranate, strawberry, and dried flowers on the nose. Dry with bright acid and a floral finish showing notes of strawberry and hibiscus Winemaker: Michele Faccin and Filippo Mattioli Price: $18.99 per bottle / $206.29 per case Suggested Food Pairing: hard cheeses, balsamic vinegar with bread, olives, pizza Avinyo Brut Reserva Cava Region: Can Fontanal, Penedes, Catalonia 60% macabeo, 25% xarel⋅lo, and 15% parellada fermented in stainless steel at a cooler temperature with ambient yeast to preserve fresh fruit aromas and bring out complex secondary notes. The wines are bottled and a dosage of 6 g/L is added to begin secondary fermentation and aging for 18 to 24 months on the lees to add a roundness and brioche character to the final wine. Pale yellow-green in the glass, with a slightly toasty note framing the lemon, and green apple. Bright and mineral on the palate with notes of lime and green apple on the dry chalky finish Winemaker: Luis Esteve-Nadal Price: $21.99 per bottle / 238.69 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Fried chicken, seafood risotto Edaphos Malvasia Bianca Region: Sonoma Coast 100% Malvasia Bianca pressed thoroughly and fermented with native yeast in sandstone vessels and then bottled unfined and unfiltered. A hazy straw color in the glass with a nose jumping out of the glass with notes of pine, green tea, lime, lemon, and orange peel. Bright acidity with notes of dried white flowers and citrus peel on the fresh and textured finish Winemaker: Joseph Ryan Price: $17.99 per bottle / $195.49 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Won ton soup, apple pie, blue cheese Illahe Willamette Valley Viognier Region: Willamette, OR USA 100% Viognier destemmed, and cold soaked overnight before pressing and fermenting in stainless steel. A juicy nose of stone fruit, pineapple, apricot, and chamomile. Light bodied with lively acidity and flavors of nectarine and white peach. Winemaker: Brad Ford Price: $24.99 per bottle / $271.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Papaya salad, chicken or vegetable momo, Seafood curry Alain & Cyril Gautheron Bourgogne Blanc Region: Chablis, France 100% Chardonnay from plots outside Chablis fermented in . A bright nose of green apple, nectarine, and wet stone. Crisp acidity with a long mineral finish showing notes of stone fruit and green apple. Winemaker: Cyril Gautheron Price: $24.99 per bottle / $ 271.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: fresh shellfish, ham, grilled cod, escargot Bloodroot Sonoma Coast Chardonnay Region: Sonoma Coast, CA 100% Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel and French oak, undergoing full malolactic fermentation to give a richness and softness to the finished wine. Aged 10 months in a mix of stainless steel and French oak, 20% of which was new. Notes of stone fruit and apple on the nose. Lively acidity with a long juicy finish showing notes of pineapple, peach, and lemon meringue framed by vanilla. Winemaker: Noah and Kelly Dorrance Price: $24.99 per bottle / $ 271.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Lobster, creamy pasta dishes Tegernseerhof Riesling Region: Wachau, Austria 100% Riesling fermented and aged in stainless steel. A pungent nose of key lime and white flowers. Shimmering acidity on the long bone dry mineral finish with unripe pineapple and more key lime. Winemaker: Martin Mittlebach Price: $24.99 per bottle / $271.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled or seared fish, roasted chicken , stir fry of all kinds
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Just in Case Stelvin Closure Tasting Notes
This month we will be focusing on wines that use the ingenious Stelvin closure, aka screw cap. Celebrating it's 60th birthday in May of this year, this tiny aluminum top is perfect for everyday table wines as it let's in no oxygen and greatly reduces the presence of TCA (2,4,6-trichloroanisole), the compound that leads to cork taint which gives off a wet cardboard smell and taste and mutes other flavors. Even PlumpJack Winery realized the risk of cork taint and began bottling their cabernets in both cork and screw cap closures back in 2000. Read about PlumpJack's history with screw caps here. Although wines of any value can have a Stelvin closure, we've pulled together an affordable case of screw cap wines to take on your Labor Day road trips; no need to pack a corkscrew when you hit the road with these favorites! Durnberg Falkenstein Zweigelt Region: Weinviertel, Austria 100% Zweigelt fermented in vats for 2 weeks with the lees stirred (batonnage) to impart a roundness and creaminess to the finished wine. The wine is then removed from the skins and transferred to 500 liter oak barrels and stainless steel tanks for 5-8 months. Deep purple verging on ruby in the glass, with a expressive nose of sour cherries and baking spice which continues on the bright, medium bodied palate with grippy tannins that can be served chilled. Vegan and certified sustainable Winemaker: Christoph Körner Price: $17.99 per bottle / $195.49 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Roast chicken, BBQ, grilled vegetables, beef or game stew Moulin de Gassac Pinot Noir Region: Languedoc, France 100% Pinot Noir with a 3-5 day maceration with daily pump overs to help preserve the fresh fruit character, short fermentation in oak, and 6 months in stainless steel. Pale garnet in the glass with notes of baking spice, mocha, and candied cherry. Bright, medium bodied, and juicy on the palate with soft tannins. Certified sustainable Winemaker: Samuel Guibert Price: $15.99 per bottle / $173.89 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Seared tuna, salmon, duck Freelander Cabernet Sauvignon Region: California, USA 100% Cabernet Grapes cold soaked for 4-5 days, fermented in stainless steel, and aged 10 months in a combination of French and American oak with about 20% being new. Deep purple in the glass with notes of Blackberry, blueberry, and and Full bodied and bold with silky tannins. Winemaker: Larry Levin Price: $14.99 per bottle / $163.09 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Carne asada, grilled mushrooms Milenrama Joven Rioja Region: Rioja, Spain 100% Tempranillo fermented for 15 days in stainless steel and concrete. Deep ruby in the glass with notes of fresh red fruits, blackberry and licorice. Juicy and medium bodied with silky tannins. Winemaker: Ruth de Andrés Price: $15.99 per bottle / $173.89 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Spanish chorizo, hard cheeses Los Morros Carmenere Region: Central Valley, Chile 100% Carmenere destemmed and fermented in stainless steel for 20 day. 10% of the wine is aged for 12 months in 2nd use French oak and then blended back in. Deep purple leaning towards ruby in the glass with notes of cooked blackberry, bay leaf, and black currant. Medium bodied and dry with soft tannins and balanced acidity with a savory finish showing notes of bell pepper, eucalyptus, and black plum Winemaker: Miguel Besoain Price: $12.99 per bottle / $141.49 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Chorizo and potatoes, lamb chops, al pastor Garageland Rosé Region: Willamette Valley, USA 100% Pinot Noir from two sites around Chehalem and one just south of Lake Oswego. Gently pressed and and left to settle for a couple days before being moved to stainless steel tanks, some of which no additional yeast was added and some of which champagne yest was added. They were then blended and fined and filtered before bottling. Pale pink in the glass with notes of green strawberry and bright red cherry. Medium bodied with vibrant acidity and a crisp, citrusy, and dry finish. Winemaker: Matt Berson Price: $18.99 per bottle / $206.29 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Chicken Caesar salad, gouda, sauteed asparagus with garlic Bedrock Ode To Lulu Rosé Region: California, USA 76% Mourvèdre, 16% Syrah, and 8% Grenache from Contra Costa and Sonoma Valley pressed whole cluster, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in stainless steel. Pale pink leaning towards salmon in the glass with notes of grapefruit, raspberry, and stone fruit on the nose. Medium bodied and dry with a savory finish and bright acidity. Winemaker: Morgan Twain-Peterson MW Price: $23.99 per bottle / 260.29 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled vegetables, grilled salmon, mandarin orange salad Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Region: Malborough, New Zealand 100% Sauvignon Blanc slow fermented in stainless steel and inoculated with cultured yeast. After fermentation, half of the wine underwent an extended period of lees contact before resting in the tank for about 2-3 months and then being blended back and bottled. Pale straw in the glass with a perfumed nose of fresh lime, passionfruit, and lemongrass. Medium bodied, round, with vibrant acidity, concentrated tropical citrus flavors and a dry mineral finish. Winemaker: Luc Cowley Price: $23.99 per bottle / $260.29 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Fish and chips, shrimp scampi, Greek salad Selbach Oster Dry Pinot Blanc Region: Mosel, Germany 100% Pinot Blanc fermented in stainless steel and old oak cask. Pale yellow with a nose of croissant, lemon, and apple. Shimmering acidity with a saline and mineral finish with a touch of pear. Winemaker: Johannes Selbach Price: $23.99 per bottle / 260.29 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled prawns, sushi, beef tartare, oysters Elk Cove Estate Pinot Gris Region: Willamette Valley, USA 100% Pinot Gris with whole clusters pressed and fermented cold in stainless steel tanks. Pale yellow with notes of fresh stone fruit, melon, and ginger. Medium bodied with bright acidity and a dry, citrusy finish Winemaker: Adam Campbell Price: $20.99 per bottle / $247.44 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Dim sum, dan dan noodles, mussels Malat Furth Gruner Veltliner Region: Kremstal, Austria 100% Gruner Veltliner fermented in stainless steel and aged in large old oak casks for 3 months. Pale yellow green with notes of white pepper, green apple lemon curd, and baking spice. Dry and light medium bodied with zippy acidity and a citrusy finish. Winemaker: Michael Malate Price: $23.99 per bottle / 260.29 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Smoked salmon, Korean style pickled cucumbers, tuna tartare Artamaña Xarmant Txakoli de Alava Region: Arabako Txakolina, Spain 80% Hondarrabi Zuri and 20% Petit Courbú fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeast and aged for 2 months on the lees. Pale straw, with a notes of meyer lemon and lime. Light bodied with bright acidity and a fruity finish Winemaker: Alava family Price: $22.99 per bottle / 248.29 per case Suggested Food Pairing: Aguachile, shrimp cocktail, fresh seafood
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