March 2025 | Terroir Wine Club

Cantalapiedra Majuelo del Chiviritero La Seca 2022

A few wine club members may remember this bottling from the first “Wines of Heart & Soul” Club Session with Brad Friedman of Ghostnote wines. These wines are admittedly not immediately "general consumer" oriented, but after some time wowza they are epic. This parcel of Verdejo comes from a high elevation site outside of Rueda in an area specifically called “La Seca”; super high elevation sandstone soils give rise to plush and concentrated flavors that take some time to coalesce. Right off the pop the wine is a little tight with almost angsty notes of cinnamon, starfruit, crisp green apple, and caramelized apple. The wine begins to shine on day two and even day three when these high-toned aromatics constructively converge with soft floral notes of pollen, passionfruit, yuzu, and fresh sage. Overall, I adore this wine and I think shines best after a day or two and would benefit from time in bottle. Drink 2026/8 – 2034/6 and serve alongside lightly seared grilling food in all-purpose stemware just slightly above refrigeration temperature. 

Lionel Faury 2022 “La Gloriette: VV Sant Joseph

From Syrah vines planted between 1937 and 1976 on granite soils in the Northern Rhône, this is a lot of wine in the bottle. Right off the pop the wine is explosive with boysenberry jam, clove, cardamom, dried sage, and the bottom of a cookie. The fruit profile is intense with overly ripe raspberry alongside savory components of green peppercorns and crunchy black licorice (Good ‘n Plenty candies anyone?). After about an hour the profile becomes even more savory with aromatics of lardons, leather, suede, and fresh violets. The intensity of the aromatics are still lifted well into day two and the wine has promising longevity in the glass and cellar; on day three the wine is still remarkably meaty and plush.  Overall, the wine shows well from minute one to day three. Drink now – 2036/8 and serve in all-purpose stemware and serve alongside hearty red meats or umami dishes.

Sanct Valetin 2020 Riserva Pinot Noir

A stellar start to 2025 for wine clubs, damn. This Pinot Noir comes from an estate nestled up into the Dolomites and truly expresses the terroir. Right off the pop you might think of this as a delicate Pinot due to the lightly currant color and notes of dried raspberries, dried violets, and lemon thyme, and watermelon. The palate is where the power of the terroir comes through with rocky granitic notes of dried peppermint (it works), dried rose petals, and strict graphite. On day two the wine is still so stellar, arguably better with blossoming structure and a wholistic profile. The wine is well suited to large bowl stemware and showcases the wine significantly better. Drink now – 2038 and serve in large bowl stemware alongside delicate dishes such as roast bird, roasted eggplant, or white bean soup.