We did not flood this week. However, our neighbors did, and our hearts go out to all on Elm and Randal. Thanks to all our volunteers, we could not have done it without you!

This week’s lineup is holiday fun at its best!

At a glance, Champagne, Chablis, Pinot Noir, and a limited and elegant Sangiovese.

Mandois Champagnes are crisp with great richness on the palate and a long-lasting finish due to extended aging on the lees.  Elegance and purity are the keynotes to these wines.  Highlighting the estate is Clos Mandois, a rare, unbroken, enclosed plot that yields grapes of outstanding quality.  Year after year, this Clos produces a unique Cuvée whose potential is among Champagne’s greatest wines.

The property was established in 1735 by Jean Mandois. The estate is led by Claude Mandois (born in 1961), representing the 9th generation since Jean.

Situated in Pierry, a village in the “Cote des Blancs” and classified as Premier Cru in Champagne, the Mandois estate vineyard is 35 hectares and represents 70% of the fruit for production. The vineyards are spread among 12 villages and include parcels in the Cote des Blancs, the slopes of Epernay, and the region around Sezanne. Sourced grapes from such prestigious villages and terroirs as Chouilly, Vertus, Pierry, and Epernay. Mandois’ vineyard comprises 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Pinot Noir.

Albert Bichot Chablis chardonnay is from one of my favorite parts of France.

Fresh and elegant on the nose with lemony and mineral nuances. Lovely overall harmony with remarkable power and length.

Fresh and elegant on the nose with lemony and mineral shades. Lovely overall harmony with remarkable power and length.

Pairs well with

Keep it classic with this Chablis! Enjoy its freshness as an aperitif or with a meal, pair it with seafood or fish to appreciate its richness.

Montinore Estate Pinot Noir Red Cap Willamette

A beautiful vintage and a commitment to quality winemaking is well reflected in this release of Red Cap Pinot Noir. Crafted with fruit from a variety of growing sites, it is a reflection of the perfect terroir in the Willamette Valley. The warm, dry growing season led to ripe fruit and concentration that balances perfectly with our trademark texture, acidity and complexity. Medium-bodied, the palate is gushing with ripe Bing cherry, plum, and a kiss of chocolate.

Established in 1982, Montinore Estate is the country’s largest producer of certified estate wines made from Biodynamic® grapes. With our 200-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic® and Stellar Certified Organic vineyard located in north Willamette Valley in Oregon, we focus on producing superior Pinot Noirs, cool climate whites, and fascinating Italian varietals.

Giuseppe Gorelli Rosso di Montalcino

Recognizable by its black grapes with purple reflections, Sangiovese is a grape variety native to the emblematic Italian Tuscany. Renowned for being one of the country’s most famous grape varieties, its name literally means blood of Jupiter, a sign of a powerful and fragrant variety. The grape variety flourishes fully in hot climates with significant temperature differences between day and night. The vines are worked with the greatest respect for the soil thanks to healthy and sustainable viticulture. In the cellar, the philosophy is similar. Fermentations are carried out using indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries. Refining is then accomplished in barrels before the wines are bottled.
The ruby ​​color reveals an expressive nose marked by delicate scents of red fruits. A beautiful balance is created between freshness and depth on the palate, leading to a delicious, persistent, and fruity finish.

INFORMATION ABOUT DOMAIN GORELLI

In 2017, renowned oenologist and consultant Giuseppe Gorelli established his own winery in Montalcino, in the heart of the charming province of Siena, renowned for producing some of the finest red wines in Tuscany. Nestled on the northwestern hillside, the winery is surrounded by vines of Sangiovese, a red grape variety accustomed to the terroir. The winemaker favors natural, environmentally friendly viticulture in the vineyard. The low yields guarantee concentrated, fragrant grapes of the highest quality. In the winery, the family vineyard adopts the same ethos. Most of the fruit is vinified in wood in a traditional and completely natural way. As a result of these meticulous and attentive efforts, authentic terroir wines emerge, reflecting this unique expertise and precise blending of soils and grape varieties. The Gorelli domain is no exception to the undisputed reputation of Tuscan red wines.