As the holiday season falls upon us, here are a selection of gems that way over deliver, and will complement a plethora of holiday meals. Cheers!
Bora Tier - Louisville
Domaine Bousquet Brut Sparkling
75% Chardonnay & 25% Pinot Noir makeup this sparkling gem of a pour. With Estate Vineyards in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary Argentina (at the foothills of the Andes, with an elevation of 4000 ft) the vineyards enjoy gravel and sandy soil. This is a great everyday celebration bubbly with killer value. Pale gold, and green tinged in color with delicate bubbles. Lime and apple aromas out of the glass. Fresh and fruity with crisp natural acidity.
Food Pairing - Filet. Fall Casserole. Sautéed Shrimp Pasta. Sea Bass.
Herència Altés, Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra
Nuria’s most widely planted red variety is the indigenous Garnatxa Negra which grows well in the sandy and clay limestone soils of the region. In the glass, the organically produced Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra from Herència Altés offers a dense purple-red color. The nose of this red wine from Catalonia has hints of black cherry, plum and blueberry.
Food Pairing - Card Games. Friends & Family. Thanksgiving Dinner. Giunta - Malbec Nouveau
First off, Malbec isn't only from Argentina - so don’t let folk fool ya. And, originally, the delectable grape hails from France. Malbec has now made its way around the world and the crew behind Decibel Wines in New Zealand are doing some epic stuff with this variety. The juice is a royal, dark purple. The nose is wild and savory black olives picked off your fave pizza pie with sultry flavors of brambly fruit and wafts of smokiness. The palate is soft and plush with rich blackberries, plum, and spice. A fun and perfect wine for this season.
Food Pairing - Sweet potato pie. Sammies from the leftover turkey. A glass and the game.
Bora Tier - Lexington
Domaine Bousquet Brut Sparkling
75% Chardonnay & 25% Pinot Noir makeup this sparkling gem of a pour. With Estate Vineyards in Tupungato, Alto Gualtallary Argentina (at the foothills of the Andes, with an elevation of 4000 ft) the vineyards enjoy gravel and sandy soil. This is a great everyday celebration bubbly with killer value. Pale gold, and green tinged in color with delicate bubbles. Lime and apple aromas out of the glass. Fresh and fruity with crisp natural acidity.
Food Pairing - Filet. Fall Casserole. Sautéed Shrimp Pasta. Sea Bass.
Herència Altés, Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra
Nuria’s most widely planted red variety is the indigenous Garnatxa Negra which grows well in the sandy and clay limestone soils of the region. In the glass, the organically produced Terra Alta Garnatxa Negra from Herència Altés offers a dense purple-red color. The nose of this red wine from Catalonia has hints of black cherry, plum and blueberry.
Food Pairing - Card Games. Friends & Family. Thanksgiving Dinner. Adega de Penalva, Dão Indigena Tinto
Ruby color, bright appearance, clean aroma, with fruity notes, pine caruma and wild flowers. In the mouth it has good freshness, body, soft tannins and nice finish. Just a wonderful wine that can be enjoyed year round!
Food Pairing - S’mores and a fire. Salmon with roasted potatoes and veggies. Sammies from leftover turkey.
Le Mistral Tier - Louisville Location
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil
Light bodied, but with great structure, this is the perfect transitional vino as the weather cools, fires warm, and the holidays are in sight. Black pepper, anise, and dried herbs give way to a slight green pepper note (a traditional marker of Cab Franc), before finishing with wonderful savoriness and bright acidity. One rarely sees Cab Franc from Sancerre, and this is one of the best producers doing it at the moment. A delightful pour.
Food Pairing - Sunny lunch and a BLT. That’s it - that’s the pairing. You’re welcome.
Blackbird Vineyards Arise
The 2016 Arise Proprietary Red is a blend of 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. It has a deep garnet-purple color and opens with fragrant black cherries, black raspberries and warm plums scents with hints of underbrush, dried herbs, raspberry leaves and spice box. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled in the mouth, the palate has great vivacity with a grainy texture and long, lively finish.
Food Pairing - Seared Ribeye, Herb Roasted Potatoes, Sauteed Leeks
Big Table Farm ‘Wild Bee’ Chard
Brian & Claire Carver are making some of the BEST vino out of Oregon. They have a sustainable working farm, her labels are art, and the wine reflects the intersection of the two. Fun fact - Claire is also a 5th degree Black Belt!
This wine smells like warm apple pie and waxy white flowers. When you take your first sip there is an explosion of acidity that brings the pallet to life. Granny Smith apples are balanced with nuttiness and warm dough. The finish is bright and the acid lets you savor the apple, lemon and yeasty notes. This wine has a dry & focused mouthwatering finish.
Food Pairing - Cast Iron seared Salmon, Asiago Risotto with blistered cherry tomatoes and snap peas. (I am enjoying this wine/food combo as I write these notes)
Le Mistral Tier - Lexington Location
The Mariner Dry Creek Meritage
At first swirl, the wine displays aromas of black currant, black cherry and cranberry sauce. Several more minutes reveal hints of allspice, mocha, white pepper and nutmeg. The palate has dark berry flavors along with earthy complexity and spiced plum. It finishes with notes of fine leather, dried herbs and toasty cedar. Good acidity will help this wine to age beautifully for years to come.
Food Pairing - Filet w balsamic reduction, roasted potatoes and swiss chard.
Harvey & Harriet
At first blush, an exuberant bouquet of candied blueberries, blackberries, jasmine, and orange blossoms jumps out of the glass and demands full attention. Underneath the fruits and flowers there is a backbone of warm brioche, cocoa and baking spices. The mouth shows intense cherry, mixed berry and plum followed by caramel and espresso. An elegant & long finish.
Food Pairing - Hearty burger. Cast Iron brats. Braised beef.
Banshee (Mordecai)
An enticing nose of pepper, violets, cigar and cassis. On the palate it is a mouthwatering mélange of red berry and plum flavors backed by earthy tones of herb roasted meat and fresh black trumpet giving way to a spice laden finish. A fun and silky pour that is borderline sensual. Enjoy! Blend: 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Zinfandel, 15% Malbec, 20% Petite Sirah, 5% Merlot, 5% Carignan, 5% Grenache
Food Pairing - Hard cheeses. Cast iron chicken thighs. Chili.
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