Red Wine Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf Du Pape Tradition 2019. Decant for 1-2 hours prior to drinking The Chateau Maucoil is a beautiful example of a well-made Chateauneuf-du-Pape. A vibrant ruby hue, this wine displays intense aromas of red berries, kirsch, and garrigue herbs. On the palate, this fresh and lively wine has flavors of blackberries, black pepper, sage, and cured meats. Soft, silky tannins round out this medium bodied wine, giving it more complexity and depth. The Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape is best served with hearty meat dishes like classic French cassoulet, braised beef stew, or roast beef. It could also be paired with Asian dishes like Thai Curry, or heavier pasta dishes like creamy mushroom alfredo. Crafted from Chateau Maucoil’s youngest” vineyard (at 40 years on average, old enough to be called old-vine in many countries), this Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a classic blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault. The soils are sandy and pebbly, with good drainage increasing intensity and complexity of the fruit. Grapes are all hand harvested, sorted, and fermented in concrete tanks, after which they are aged in a combination of large concrete vats and 1-year old barrels. As of the 2014 vintage, Chateau Maucoil is a certified 100% biodynamic winery, and is owned by the Lavau company, a negociant firm with many holdings in the Rhone.
2019
Red Wine Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf Du Pape Tradition 2019
Red Wine Michael David Winery Earthquake Zinfandel 2019. Michael David Winery was named Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year for 2020, largely thanks to their commitment to sustainability and exceptional winemaking. The Phillips family have been farming fruit and vegetables in Lodi since the 1860s, but it was only in 1984 that brothers Michael and David made their first wines in a barn using a couple of barrels and an old press. Since then the winery has blossomed into an 800-acre estate which has its own strict set of sustainability regulations known as the Lodi Rules”. Their Earthquake wines are designed to deliver a shockwave of flavour and plenty of power and concentration. The grapes for this puncy Zin actually come from an very old Lodi vineyard which was planted at the same time as San Francisco’s devastating 1906 earthquake. Michael Phillips thought it would only be fitting to name the wine after this historic event. Once in the winery the grapes are carefully vinified and the young wine ages in American and French oak barrels for 22 months. This extended ageing period adds rich spice and toasted oak notes to the luscious dark fruit, bringing yet more power and complexity to the classic old Zinfandel character. Robust and powerful, this is a wine to pair with hearty red meat and vegetarian dishes, or to cellar for a few more years if desired.
2019
Red Wine Michel Rolland Mariflor Cabernet Franc 2019. Michel Rolland is a flying winemaker” who consults for top wineries all over the world as well as owning three estates in Argentina. He first fell in love with the country in the late 1980s while visiting the Etchart family in Salta in the north of the country. Soon afterwards Michel bought land in Mendoza where his Mariflor wines are made today. The grapes for this elegant Cabernet Franc come from the Clos de los Siete estate in Vista Flores where the vines are planted at 1100 metres above sea level. This high altitude creates unique conditions for grape growing, with the extra UV light helping to fully ripen the fruit while the cool nights preserve freshness and natural aromatics. Cabernet Franc may not be Argentina’s most famous variety, but this cuvee captures the beauty of the Mendoza terroir as well as Michel’s extensive winemaking experience across the globe. Once in the winery the fruit is vinified and then aged in French oak barrels for 15 months followed by a further ageing period in the bottle. On the nose there are enticing notes of luscious dark fruit, silky smooth tannins and a medium body. An ideal wine to enjoy with most meats and cheeses as well as tomato-based pasta dishes.
2019