Sunday Sales Referendum - Metro Atlanta
1)See the Google Map for Details
2)11 Alive News
3) AJC News - “The results of today’s election,” Georgia Food Industry Association lobbyist Kathy Kuzava said, “have shown that the vast majority of voters overwhelmingly support the opportunity to purchase all of their groceries, including beer and wine, seven days per week.”
Don't go dropping 12-packs on the checkout conveyer belt just yet. Stores that can offer the sales will be spotty throughout the area, and in places where voters approved, effective dates will vary, ranging from the second Sunday after election results get certified to perhaps as late as February.
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My personal opinion, is why would you let someone drink alcohol in a restaurant on Sunday, with the danger of them driving home drunk... As opposed to letting them buy alcohol and drink at home on Sunday? Seriously, it's backwards thinking.
AND now that we CAN buy Alcohol on Sundays, doesn't mean we HAVE to. It just means we don't have to stop and go "oh crap today's Sunday, I guess I won't have any beer for when my friends come over to watch the Football game..."
I was rather disturbed by the Christian Coalition's effort to stop this from passing. WHY would this be a religious issue? It isn't about religion. If you don't want to buy Alcohol on Sunday, nobody is forcing you to, and it isn't part of a religious requirement. They need to choose their battles a bit more wisely, in my humble Wino opinion.
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A Wine Club in Atlanta, GA, founded in 2008. We meet to taste wine, gab, snack, and learn. TWITs is all about having fun, trying wines, and growing your palate.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
VOTE! Vote YES for Sunday Sales!!!
VOTE! Vote YES for Sunday Sales!!!
Apparently, since I live in the "Unincorporated DeKalb" part of Atlanta, this item wasn't even ON my ballot. But I still went to vote.
Please if you DO have this item on your ballot in Georgia today, please vote YES for Sunday Sales!
Thank you,
TWITs Wine Club
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Chanson Pere et Fils Tasting - Le Caveau - Nov. 3rd, 2011
Abbie with Gilles de Courcel (jeel dey Core-sell, soft j)Exciting!
A pre-sale tasting of some of the red and white Burgundies of Chanson Père et Fils from the blockbuster 2009 vintage. Gilles de Courcel, President of Chanson Père et Fils will be on hand. This is a great opportunity to taste and pre-order some wines (they will arrive from France in early 2012) from a specatacular vintage along with some cheeses and charcuterie.
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Gilles de Courcel is as Burgundian as they come: born and raised in Pommard, he has worked in the wine trade his entire life. His family has owned and run the Domaine de Courcel for more than 400 years. Indeed, you could say that Gilles, like the wines, "was born in the vineyard." After completing a degree in business administration in the early 1980s, he left Burgundy to work in Reims as export director for one of the greatest houses of Champagne. The mid-1990s found him in Bordeaux where he worked with top producers in Médoc, Saint-Emilion and Sauternes. In 2002 the Bollinger family asked him to look after their new acquisition, the Chanson estate. Of course, they wanted someone with his vast experience, but they also desired a bona fide Burgundian, an experienced manager and trusted friend who could restore the glory of this once noble Négociant.
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The wine maker, son of legendary winemaker Jean-Jacques "Jacky" Confuron, Jean-Pierre Confuron launched his career working for his family's domaine in Vosne-Romanée (Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot). After studying enology first in Champagne and then in Burgundy, he worked as a consultant to the famed Chateau de La Tour in Clos de Vougeot while continuing his father's legacy at the family's estate. He is a lecturer in viticulture and winemaking at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune and an active member of the Union des Oenologues de France. In 1999, after Bollinger asked him to conduct a study of Chanson's vineyards, he developed and implemented a program to improve growing and winemaking there. A member of an elite Burgundian family and an esteemed winemaker in his own right, Confuron developed partnerships with some of the best growers in Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
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Tastings Notes:
Whites:
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Discreet if not invisible wood does not unduly dampben the expressiveness of the pretty mix of ripe orchard fruit and floral aromas that are in keeping with the notably ripe and seductively textured medium-bodied flavors that possess good fat and volume before culminating in a sappy, mouth-coating, and lingering finish. I like the generosity, but there isn't enough complexity to raise this to the next level. 88 points Abbie says - "I like this one, it has a scent of soft pine box"
2) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Pernand Vergelesses Les Caradeaux Blanc 1er Cru $64.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Moderate wood influence still allows the ripe pear, white peach and citrus aromas to be seen. There is very good richness to the supple, forward and fleshy medium weight flavors that finish with fine length if perhaps less depth than might be expected for the appellation. 88-90 points
Abbie says "Pernand Vergelesses (Pair-non Vair-gel-aize) - Les Caradeauex (hill on the left, facing east), slight sulfur, flint scent, but not unpleasant. this is a sweeter wine, perhaps too sweet for me."
Abbie says "Pernand Vergelesses (Pair-non Vair-gel-aize) - Les Caradeauex (hill on the left, facing east), slight sulfur, flint scent, but not unpleasant. this is a sweeter wine, perhaps too sweet for me."
3) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Beaune Clos de Mouches Blanc $96.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Background wood notes mix with mostly floral and citrus hints to serve as a graceful introduction to the rich, round and naturally sweet flavors that exude a fine minerality on the forward finish that possesses just enough grip to suggest that this will require 2 to 3 years of cellar time to arrive at its peak. 88-91 points
Abbie says "Beaune (Bonne), Clos de Mouches (Cloe-day-Moosh) means honey bees."
Abbie says "Beaune (Bonne), Clos de Mouches (Cloe-day-Moosh) means honey bees."
4) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Corton-Vergennes Domaine Des Héritiers P.Chanson Grand Cru $144.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
A reserved, indeed almost reluctant nose though persistent swirling coaxes notes of white flower, green fruit and distinct stone nuances. There is excellent richness to the powerful and relatively well-concentrated flavors that display plenty of extract on the dry, stony and solidly persistent finish that also exhibits a trace of austerity. 91 points
Abbie says "Corton-Vergennes" (Core-tone Vair-gen)"
Abbie says "Corton-Vergennes" (Core-tone Vair-gen)"
5) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Chablis Montmains 1er Cru $39.99
Burghound, July 2011, Issue #43 (7/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
An expressive nose of floral and iodine hints leads to rich, round and textured middle weight flavors that display a discreet minerality on the dry finish and just enough Chablis character to be interesting. This very forward effort should drink well almost immediately. 87 points
6) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Chablis $24.99------------------------------
Reds:
1) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Dominode$ 44.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
Here the nose is exuberantly fresh and bright with plenty of Savigny-style earth to the ripe red pinot fruit nose. The rich yet well-delineated flavors are notably firm yet the underlying tannins possess complete phenolic ripeness, all wrapped in a long if only moderately complex finish. 88-91 points
2) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Grèves $59.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
A very ripe and expressive nose speaks of red and black berry fruit that are liberally laced with warm earth nuances that continue onto the rich and quite finely detailed middle weight flavors that possess both good volume and fine complexity on the firm, complex and mildly austere finish. 89-91 points
3) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Fèves $84.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
This appears to be even riper though not surmature with an expressive nose of raspberry liqueur, cassis and warm earth where the latter element also suffuses the rich, mouth coating and relatively powerful medium-bodied flavors that are structured, intense and impressively persistent. There is a robustness to this that will require 12 to 15 years to fully soften. 90-92 points
Abbie says "Clos" refers to closed by walls. Chanson is the only producer of Clos De Feves, we call this a Monopole."
Abbie says "Clos" refers to closed by walls. Chanson is the only producer of Clos De Feves, we call this a Monopole."
4) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Clos Vougeot Grand Cru $199.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
A deft touch of wood sets off a similar earthy red berry fruit nose in the sense that it is reserved to the point of being mute. The equally earthy and broad-scaled flavors possess excellent volume and the tannins are fully ripe and are buffered by an abundance of dry extract, all wrapped in a hugely long and mouth coating finish. Like the Clos de Bèze, this is unabashedly built to age and will need all of 20 years to arrive at its peak. In a word, terrific. 92-94 points
5) 2009 Chanson Père et Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru $274.99
Burghound, May 2011, Issue #42 (5/1/2011) By Allen Meadows
In contrast to the expressiveness of many of the foregoing wines, this is almost mute aromatically though aggressive swirling coaxes grudging notes of spice and ripe red berry fruit. The cool, restrained and discreetly mineral-driven flavors possess real drive and gorgeous detail on the extremely firm but persistent finish. This classy effort is very much built for long-term aging and as such, will not be for everyone. 91-94 points
6) 2007 Chanson Père et Fils Gevrey-Chambertin $54.99
--------------"Attention to detail is everything in Burgundy," says de Courcel. "Detail, patience, and minimal intervention in the winemaking process are what make Chanson's wines stand apart," he explains.
"For me it is a great honor and very exciting to have been asked to work for such a historic and illustrious house of Burgundy, one of the original estates of the modern era where it all began."
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Le Caveau - Fall Weather Wines - October 29, 2011
Le Caveau - Fall Weather Wines - October 29, 2011
1) 2010 Banshee Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $15.99
100% Sauvignon Blanc
This is a slighty grassy, lemon blossom and citrusy Sauvignon blanc, with a rush of melony goodness on the palate. Medium-bodied, this wine has good texture AND acidity, which would come as no surprise if you knew the wine's source. Banshee gets 98% of the fruit from one of the top three Sauvignon Blanc producers in the Napa Valley. Try this with fresh-shucked oysters, a lobster boil or even a Chinese dish.
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2) 2010 Damien Coquelet Chiroubles $21.99
100% Gamay
This wine jumps from the glass with an open and floral nose followed by notes of wild raspberry, ripe cherry, herbs and brown spice. The palate shows the succulence and freshness that is the hallmark of the 2010 vintage along with a smoky minerality and nice grip.
Damien is George Descombes’ son and he’s been working the vineyards of cru Beaujolais since he was five years old. Heis drawing a lot of attention for his beautifully pure renditions of Beaujolais from the cru of Chiroubles. Chiroubles has the highest elevation of Beaujolais' 10 crus, and it is this elevation-coupled with granite-based soils-that gives the wines of Chiroubles their floralperfume and incisive cut.
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3) 2009 La Ferme du Mont Côtes du Rhône Premiere Cote $21.99
60% Grenache, 30% Syrah
The 2009 Cotes du Rhone Premiere Cote is an amazingly sexy, lush, full-bodied, Cotes du Rhone with loads of black cherry and black currant fruit, a deep, concentrated mouthfeel and a silky finish. It should drink nicely for 2-4 years if you can resist it that long.
Stephane Vedeau, one of the young, energetic Turks of Chateauneuf du Pape, has emerged from the woodwork to produce stunning wines in 2007 as well as 2008 and 2009. Something about him reminds me of the obsessive-compulsive St.-Emilion proprietor, Francois Mitjaville. This is a seriously talented winemaker who is quickly emerging as a star of the southern Rhone.
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4) 2009 Domaine Daniel Rion et Fils Bourgogne $14.99
100% Pinot Noir
This Bourgogne presents a moderate crimson color in its youth, then becomes orange/ruby after a few years of aging in bottle. The cherry and blackcurrant flavors are marked in its youth, after wich game and mushroom appear on the nose supported by candied fruits on the palate. The vines are distributed on several parcels located in the bottom of a mineral-rich hillside in Nuits Saint George on a gentle slope of silt and clay. These 2.13 hectars of vines have an average age of 20 years.
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5) 2008 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape $54.99
75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mouvèdre and 5% Cinsault and others.
Classic notes of kirsch, plum, spice box, cedar, and garrigue are accompanied by deep fruit, an attractive dark ruby/plum color, and surprising body as well as depth for a 2008. It should drink well young, and evolve for up to a decade.
93 points Wine Spectator: "This is rock-solid, with crushed raspberry, kirsch, juniper and smoked apple wood notes, backed by a broad, plush, spice- and anise-filled finish. Nicely rounded and integrated for the vintage. Drink now through 2021."
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We loved #5 (of course), but I was also in love with #2, it was "like drinking roses."
1) 2010 Banshee Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $15.99
100% Sauvignon Blanc
This is a slighty grassy, lemon blossom and citrusy Sauvignon blanc, with a rush of melony goodness on the palate. Medium-bodied, this wine has good texture AND acidity, which would come as no surprise if you knew the wine's source. Banshee gets 98% of the fruit from one of the top three Sauvignon Blanc producers in the Napa Valley. Try this with fresh-shucked oysters, a lobster boil or even a Chinese dish.
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2) 2010 Damien Coquelet Chiroubles $21.99
100% Gamay
This wine jumps from the glass with an open and floral nose followed by notes of wild raspberry, ripe cherry, herbs and brown spice. The palate shows the succulence and freshness that is the hallmark of the 2010 vintage along with a smoky minerality and nice grip.
Damien is George Descombes’ son and he’s been working the vineyards of cru Beaujolais since he was five years old. Heis drawing a lot of attention for his beautifully pure renditions of Beaujolais from the cru of Chiroubles. Chiroubles has the highest elevation of Beaujolais' 10 crus, and it is this elevation-coupled with granite-based soils-that gives the wines of Chiroubles their floralperfume and incisive cut.
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3) 2009 La Ferme du Mont Côtes du Rhône Premiere Cote $21.99
60% Grenache, 30% Syrah
The 2009 Cotes du Rhone Premiere Cote is an amazingly sexy, lush, full-bodied, Cotes du Rhone with loads of black cherry and black currant fruit, a deep, concentrated mouthfeel and a silky finish. It should drink nicely for 2-4 years if you can resist it that long.
Stephane Vedeau, one of the young, energetic Turks of Chateauneuf du Pape, has emerged from the woodwork to produce stunning wines in 2007 as well as 2008 and 2009. Something about him reminds me of the obsessive-compulsive St.-Emilion proprietor, Francois Mitjaville. This is a seriously talented winemaker who is quickly emerging as a star of the southern Rhone.
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4) 2009 Domaine Daniel Rion et Fils Bourgogne $14.99
100% Pinot Noir
This Bourgogne presents a moderate crimson color in its youth, then becomes orange/ruby after a few years of aging in bottle. The cherry and blackcurrant flavors are marked in its youth, after wich game and mushroom appear on the nose supported by candied fruits on the palate. The vines are distributed on several parcels located in the bottom of a mineral-rich hillside in Nuits Saint George on a gentle slope of silt and clay. These 2.13 hectars of vines have an average age of 20 years.
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5) 2008 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape $54.99
75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mouvèdre and 5% Cinsault and others.
Classic notes of kirsch, plum, spice box, cedar, and garrigue are accompanied by deep fruit, an attractive dark ruby/plum color, and surprising body as well as depth for a 2008. It should drink well young, and evolve for up to a decade.
93 points Wine Spectator: "This is rock-solid, with crushed raspberry, kirsch, juniper and smoked apple wood notes, backed by a broad, plush, spice- and anise-filled finish. Nicely rounded and integrated for the vintage. Drink now through 2021."
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We loved #5 (of course), but I was also in love with #2, it was "like drinking roses."
Monday, October 24, 2011
Le Caveau - Rose Tasting - October 21st, 2011
Le Caveau - Rosé Tasting for Breast Cancer Awareness - October 21st, 2011
Featuring 5 of Le Caveau's favorite Roses.
1) 2010 Domaine du Deffends “Rosé d'une Nuit”
Grenache/Cinsault Blend
This Rosé is pale salmon in color, with floral aromas. On the palate, it shows deliciously ripe fruit with a definite herbal note and crisp, refreshing acidity. The wine finishes with with faint notes of pink grapefruit.
The wine is name after the method of vinification: it is bled off at night following the harvest, as soon as the juice reaches the optimal color.
2) 2010 La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
Mourvedre, with Grenache and Cinsault
Light orange, medium/full bodied with a nose of dried cherry, musky herbs and flowers, plus a hint of white pepper. 2010 bottling is quite rich this year and built to handle full-flavored food. Dry, smooth on the palate.
In the early ’70s Michel and Louis Bronzo acquired the property of the Bastide Blanche, with the goal of producing top Bandol wines to rival their more famous cousins in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
3) 2010 Alain Brumont Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne Rosé
1/3 Tannat, 1/3 Syrah, 1/3 Merlot
This wine has a pale pink color. The nose shows bright raspberry and a savory note. On the palate, the wine is round and rich with a fresh finish.
Alain Brumont was elected “The best Wine Grower of the 80’s” in 1991 by the Gault Millau and received the Légion of Honor, the highest decoration in France in 1999.
4) 2010 Domaine de Triennes Rosé
Cinsault Blend
This wine is pale pink with peach on the nose. On the palate white peach flavor, some subtle red fruits, and minerals. This is one of those Roses that you have a glass and then another and before you know it the bottle is empty.
Domaine de Triennes is jointly owned by Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanee Conti.
5) 2010 Château Mourgues du Gres Rosé “Fleur d'Eglantine”
Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan
With an excellent aromatic length and depth, this vintage displays fresh, elegant and ethereal floral notes layered over aromas of pear and light red fruits, including raspberry and red currant.
The soil of the Costières-de-Nîmes region is essentially composed of alluvium stones from the Alps. Here, the sun shines all year long, ensuring that the grapes reach optimum maturity. "Sine Sole Nihil" (Nothing without sunshine).
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Featuring 5 of Le Caveau's favorite Roses.
1) 2010 Domaine du Deffends “Rosé d'une Nuit”
Grenache/Cinsault Blend
This Rosé is pale salmon in color, with floral aromas. On the palate, it shows deliciously ripe fruit with a definite herbal note and crisp, refreshing acidity. The wine finishes with with faint notes of pink grapefruit.
The wine is name after the method of vinification: it is bled off at night following the harvest, as soon as the juice reaches the optimal color.
2) 2010 La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé
Mourvedre, with Grenache and Cinsault
Light orange, medium/full bodied with a nose of dried cherry, musky herbs and flowers, plus a hint of white pepper. 2010 bottling is quite rich this year and built to handle full-flavored food. Dry, smooth on the palate.
In the early ’70s Michel and Louis Bronzo acquired the property of the Bastide Blanche, with the goal of producing top Bandol wines to rival their more famous cousins in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
3) 2010 Alain Brumont Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne Rosé
1/3 Tannat, 1/3 Syrah, 1/3 Merlot
This wine has a pale pink color. The nose shows bright raspberry and a savory note. On the palate, the wine is round and rich with a fresh finish.
Alain Brumont was elected “The best Wine Grower of the 80’s” in 1991 by the Gault Millau and received the Légion of Honor, the highest decoration in France in 1999.
4) 2010 Domaine de Triennes Rosé
Cinsault Blend
This wine is pale pink with peach on the nose. On the palate white peach flavor, some subtle red fruits, and minerals. This is one of those Roses that you have a glass and then another and before you know it the bottle is empty.
Domaine de Triennes is jointly owned by Jacques Seysses, founder of Domaine Dujac, and Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanee Conti.
5) 2010 Château Mourgues du Gres Rosé “Fleur d'Eglantine”
Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah and Carignan
With an excellent aromatic length and depth, this vintage displays fresh, elegant and ethereal floral notes layered over aromas of pear and light red fruits, including raspberry and red currant.
The soil of the Costières-de-Nîmes region is essentially composed of alluvium stones from the Alps. Here, the sun shines all year long, ensuring that the grapes reach optimum maturity. "Sine Sole Nihil" (Nothing without sunshine).
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Monday, October 17, 2011
Le Caveau - Sicily & Sardinia - October 15, 2011
Le Caveau - Sicily & Sardinia - October 15, 2011
Marie Ballard of Palm Bay Imports came by Le Caveau to show some excellent wines from Planeta in Sicily and Sella & Mosca in Sardinia.
1) 2010 Sella & Mosca La Cala Vermentino di Sardegna DOC $12.99
100% Vermentino
Pale yellow, elegant and supple, this single-vineyard wine couples fullness of flavor with an underlying acidity. Named for a small, secluded cove fringed by violet colored thistles on the edge of the Sella & Mosca estate. Shows an exceptional affinity with seafood, thanks to the very subtle presence of a natural marine salinity in the wine, due to the vineyard's seaside location.
2) 2008 Planeta Chardonnay di Sicilia IGT $39.99
100% Chardonnay
This has a golden yellow color with lively green glints and an intense nose of peach, golden apple, white figs, meringue and hints of hazelnut. The palate is concentrated, fresh and focused with lively acidity.
3) 2009 Planeta La Segreta IGT $12.99
50% Nero d'Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Franc
Explosive aromas of cocoa and tobacco along with mulberry, plums and balsamic notes. The palate conisists of fresh red fruits, with supple tannins and balanced acidity.
4) 2007 Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Riserva $12.99
100% Cannonau (Native Grenache)
Bright ruby color, with purple hues, the aromas project ripe red berry, including strawberry and raspberry. In the mouth, coffee, spices and herbs, including an aroma of violets, plummy fruit flavours and aristocratic oak overtone. Full, round, fruit forward, consumer friendly taste profile. Oak aged for two years in large Slavonian casks with several additional months in the bottle. Medium-bodied for food-friendly matchings.
5) 2007 Planeta Santa Cecilia Nero d'Avola di Sicilia $39.99
100% Nero d'Avola
The aromatic profile shows notes of sour fruit and ripe plum mixed with citrus fruit, carob and licorice. The fresh palate echoes those notes with compact tannins and the hallmark acidity of Nero d’Avola.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Le Caveau - Iugum - October 8th, 2011
Le Caveau - Iugum - October 8th, 2011
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2001 Peter Dipoli “Iugum” Alto Adige DOC $24.99
(the only other retailer on the internet selling this wine has it at $48)
70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
The Merlot is harvested from mid-September, Cabernet Sauvignon from mid-October and then each grape variety is vinified separately. Both the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon undergo malolactic fermentation in new barriques. The Cabernet Sauvignon is then aged in new barriques, while the Merlot is aged in second and third-use barriques both for 12 months, after which the wines are blended to make Iugum . After 60 days in stainsteel vats, Iugum is bottled and then released after 24 months in the bottle. Annual production of this wine is only 6,500 bottles.
This vineyard parcel is located on the slope of Magré one of the warmest vineyard areas of Alto Adige. The warm temperature and the soil structure with high clay content determined the selection of Bordeaux varieties to be planted in the vineyard. The objective with Iugum was to produce a great red wine which could be barrel aged and withstand long bottle ageing. Iugum (iou-gum) means “yoke” in Latin and is also used in very early agricultural texts in reference to vines being trained on a support. "
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Random Learning Whilst Tasting:
The 5 Bordeaux Grapes Are:
1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Merlot
3) Cabernet Franc
4) Petite Verdot
5) Malbec
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