May 2022 | Terroir Wine Club
by Caileen BrisonCa’rossa 2013 Mompissano Roero Riserva
From Vinity Wine Imports
Tasting Notes:
Color: deep ruby red. Bouquet: reminiscent of violets, raspberries and peaches. Flavor: round, elegant, strong, and full-bodied. It recalls the bouquet sensations with persistent pleasantly tannic finish. Food Pairing: It accompanies braised and roasted red meat, substantial game dishes, and ripe cheese. The wine can be drunk upon release, but has good aging potential as well.
Vinyard Notes:
Production area: Municipality of Canale d’Alba Exposure and altitude: south-west; 250-300 m above sea level Type of soil: chalky and clayey Cultivation system: Guyot Harvest: mid-October, with manual picking
Winemaking Notes:
Aging: 24 months in 30-hl Slavonian oak barrels, blending in stainless steel vats, and 10 months in bottles Average production: 10,000 bottles Alcohol content: 14°-14.5° % Vol.
Caileen’s notes
In the glass the wine has some light bricking and burnt orange colors on the rim, something very expected for a 2013 Nebbiolo. On the pop the nose is blood orange and white cherry oil with a completely juxtaposed palate of iron dense graphite and desiccated violets. If you allow the wine several hours to open, you’re greeted with white peaches, grapefruit pith, and a delicate toffee alongside white pepper oil and roasted coffee. Should you drink this wine on day two, you will find a wine that exhibits the more irony, bloody profile, with a walnut skin-like grip. Overall, I prefer this wine on day one after about 15 minutes of air exposure (just pop the bottle!). For food pairings, I would consider ragu, polenta with a red chile sauce, or roasted foul. Serve in an all-purpose glass at cellar temperature. Drink now – 2025.
Ashes & Diamonds 2018 Napa Valley Blanc
From Ashes & Diamonds
ASHES & DIAMONDS’ Blanc is a fully ripe and textured, yet bright, zesty and supremely age-worthy blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon from three carefully-chosen vineyards in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District and Yountville.
Technical Data
Harvest Date: September 3-25
Vinification: 100% Barrel Fermented
Battonage: No stirring
pH: 3.35
TA: 7.0 g/L
Alcohol: 12.4%
Barrel Aged: 10 months
Cooperage: 25% new French Oak (Boutes, Ermitage, Orion)
Cases Produced: 1100
Winemaker: Steve Matthiasson
Caileen’s Notes
This is a wine that is here to shine for the times – there is a very light toast with evident new oak that carries the more spice and silk driven oak tones as opposed to an opulent expression of oak. Given the incredible austerity of the winemaking here, it does blossom significantly given some time in the glass. The palate has great notes of Asian pear, some sea salt, all wrapped around a nice welcoming lemon pith profile. Structurally, the wine has good acidity and a welcomed texture of crushed rocks. After the wine is allowed to open, notes of banana foster, sunflowers, and a warmer and rounder amplification of salinity integrates beautifully with the body of the wine. I prefer the wine on day two in it’s youth as I feel it expresses the depth to a higher degree (at this moment). For food pairings I might suggest oysters, chicken piccata, or quiche. Drink now – 2040.
The Joy Fantastic 2018 Sta. Rita Hills Syrah
Caileen’s Notes
The Joy Fantastic 2018 Syrah is a wonderful expression of how dynamic Sta. Rita Hills terroir can be. Right off the pop the wine has bright red fruit tones alongside darker plum tones that dance together harmoniously. The fruit tones are integrated with desiccated sage and thyme with an almost woodsy-like cedar tonality. There are textbook tones of white pepper oils and some light caramel that make appearances as well. As time continues the wine amplifies the aforementioned notes and brings in a welcomed cocoa, carob, and roasted coffee bean trifecta. This wine is a fantastic joy to drink and I expect it will age gracefully over the next several years should you choose to do so. Serve in all-purpose stemware at cellar temperature. Serve alongside pork shoulder, blood sausage, or lentil soup. Drink now – 2034.