April 2024

April 2024

1. Gota Prunus Private Selection Dai Branco 

Portuguese reds are all the rage because they're easy drinking and always a hit with mixed company. Prunus red is a charming, small production Touriga Nacional, Jaen (Mencia), and Tinto Roriz. Spends 6 months in mostly American new oak. Medium bodied, a nice soft tannic grip, and a deep berry/cherry note that extends into a lengthy finish. Serve room temperature or slightly cooler for maximum enjoyment! 

  • Producer: Gota
  • Region: Vinho Verde, Portugal
  • Varieties: Jaen (Mencia), Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo), Alfrocheiro Preto, Touriga Nacional
  • Alcohol: 11.5%

2.  Mateus Nicolau de Almeida "O Tinto Perfeito" Clarete

 

O Tinto Perfeito means the Perfect Red Wine! It's so easy to drink and food friendly. A classic field blend Clarete from the Duoro, made of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, and about 15% Malvasia Fina. Red-fruited, spicy, earthy and complex, with beautiful aromatics and acidity brought on by the Malvasia. Chill or also OK to enjoy slightly cooler than room temp! Pop and share! 

  • Producer: Mateus Nicolau de Almeida
  • Region: Douro, Portugal
  • Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tempranillo, Malvasia Fina
  • Alcohol: 13.5%

3. Broc Cellars "La Boutanche" Red Blend 1L

For Chris Brockway, the owner and winemaker behind Broc Cellars, the quintessential California table wine is unequivocally Zinfandel, celebrated for its freshness and vibrancy when harvested early. In recent years, Zinfandel's image has been marred by an overly robust and extracted style, but La Boutanche seeks to restore its classic, timeless appeal that's simply delicious. The process involves destemming the grapes, natural fermentation in open stainless steel fermenters, and aging in neutral French oak barrels for nine months, resulting in an acid-forward, palatable wine. Crafted in a liter bottle, it's intended for shared enjoyment at the dining table.

  • Producer: Broc Cellars 
  • Region: Berkeley, CA
  • Varieties: 100% Zinfandel
  • Alcohol: 13%

4. Ponzi Tavola Pinot Noir

This is an outstanding Pinot Noir from Ponzi Vineyards in Willamette Valley, OR, where some of the best Pinot Noir in the world comes from. Luisa Ponzi, the first American to receive a wine certification from Burgundy, is the winemaker behind this ideal introduction to Oregon Pinot Noir. Boasting generous fruit, exotic spice, and floral notes, fermented with native yeasts, aged in French oak for 10 months, and gravity-bottled after careful selection, this wine offers a delicious exploration of Oregon and Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Luisa recommends pairing it with lamb, showcasing its versatility. The wine, part of the recently designated Laurelwood District AVA, marks Ponzi's timeless contribution to American Pinot Noir. Enjoy this American classic!
  • Producer: Ponzi Vineyards
  • Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
  • Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
  • Alcohol: 13.3%
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