2012 Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit Blanc de Tablas
Made up of 75% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc & 5% Picpoul Blanc, this wine is the quintessential example of balance. Rich, smooth, and creamy yet not overdone in any way. Butter, cream, and honey notes in perfect harmony with stone fruit and mineral. Drinking beautifully now, it demonstrates an enormous amount of complexity so it will definitely age well.
Excellent+
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The name Chapoutier is nearly synonymous with the Rhone Valley. Headquartered in Tain in the Northern Rhone’s Hermitage A.O.C., Maison M. Chapoutier produces a great number of wines from both the Northern Rhone and from the Southern Rhone. From the value-end to the very top wines in the region, Chapoutier is able to do both because it owns its own vineyards as well as having a large “negociant” business where they buy grapes and wine made by other and distribute under their name and auspices. Originally founded in 1808 by the Calvet family, the Chapoutier family acquired it in 1855 and it has remained in family hands ever since.
Winemaker Greg Brewer
We pulled up to Brewer-Clifton on a sunny but cool day in January. Outside of the winery stood Greg Brewer, co-founder and winemaker, looking up into the sky, his hand shielding his eyes, as he squinted into the sun. “That is the new Space-X rocket” he said, pointing. “Cool…. I’m Greg” he says as he stretches out his hand in greeting, a broad smile beneath dancing eyes. It turns out that initial moment captured a lot of the personality of the man we were about to spend the next 90 minutes with. Brewer is intellectual, curious about all sorts of things, warm, unusual and one seriously good winemaker.
Read MoreIt’s rare to see a successful winemaker succeeding in the Napa Valley give up a sure thing to move to Oregon and start a new winery working with a completely different grape and climate. That’s exactly what Steve Girard did and the Willamette Valley is that much better for it.
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2007 Talisman Red Dog Vineyard Pinot Noir
The Red Dog Vineyard sits above the Bennett Valley, just outside of Glen Ellen, in Sonoma County. Made from 100% Dijon clones. At age 10 this has attained full maturity. The age has given it a lovely texture; a soft, silky mouthfeel to its medium body. Red cherry fruit gets back up from spice notes of clove, pepper and allspice. There is a hint of minerality on the finish. The oak is perfectly integrated, adding some texture and just a hint of vanilla. At peak now. Delicious.
Excellent +
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