Cuvée Des Barons
Ruth Lewandowski Wines
Feints Cuvée Zero Foxhill Vineyard Red Blend
V interesting funky natty chilled red. Ruth makes her wines in Utah (lol) from fruit brought in from … elsewhere. Hence the distinct shape of the label. — 10 days ago
Ca' del Bosco
Cuvée Prestige Franciacorta Brut Chardonnay Blend
Such a great alternative to Champagne — 6 days ago
Domaine Tempier
Cuvée La Tourtine Bandol Mourvedre Blend 2020
Domaine Tempier is a BELOVED and legendary family-run estate, producing top quality benchmark wines from Bandol AOC in the Provence region, on the Mediterranean coast of France.
We first learned about the Tempiers when reading Kermit Lynch’s book “Adventures on the Wine Route” which offered a warm, intimate introduction to this family among others featured in the book.
As an aside “Adventures on the Wine Route” is a wonderful, in-depth look into key regions and producers of France. There’s nearly an entire chapter on Domaine Tempier in Bandol alone.
This particular wine is named after the organically-farmed vineyard from which it came – “La Tourtine” – and has 80% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, where grapes are picked by hand and the soils are still tilled by horse.
It aged in oak foudres (large oak vessels) for 18 to 20 months, leaving nary a note of new oak, but rather depth, texture and complexity from the very delicate breaths this wine took over that time aging before bottle.
It’s delicious – marked by classic meaty, leather notes, next to ripe cassis, earth, clove, anise, garrigue, not to mention texture, mouthfeel, and warmth.
This is the kind of wine we love in the fall, when braised meats and stews are on the dinner table. Or next to a roaring winter’s fire. Then again it pairs well with a summer barbeque and everything in between, too. It’s a seasonally- and culinarily-diverse wine to say the least!
What’s your go-to Bandol rouge? We’d love to hear it. — 2 days ago
Jay Kline
From the oldest vines in Clos de la Roilette, the “Cuvée Tardive” is a special example of Fleurie. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout, though it seemed to be a touch more balanced on Day 2. The 2022 “Cuvée Tardive” pours a deep ruby, with a slightly purple tinge and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, pomegranate, black plum, red carnations, lavender pastilles, licorice, incense, and granite. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finishes medium+. Ripe and yet remains so fresh! Drink now through 2037. — 9 days ago