May 2024 | Terroir Wine Club

Cote West 2020 Marianas Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

I shamelessly have a bias for Cote West and Bret Hogan, winemaker and owner of this small urban winery. This is the first vintage of the Marianas Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and is outstanding for such a challenging vintage. Right off the pop the wine is very bright bramble with stark notes of menthol, eucalyptus, and juniper. The energy of the wine is unabashedly present and evokes a sense of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the ever-changing energy up here. As time inevitably progresses, the fruit quality sinks deeper into blueberry compote, olallieberry, guava, and papaya. On day two the wine softens around the edges a bit and starts to lift tones of bergamot and black tea. At present day, the wine absolutely has aggressive structure; there is an undeniable grip and acidity that will carry the wine well through a decade+. In the Marianas Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon we have an example of a wine that craves food; think ribeye, roast sweet potatoes, or wild duck. This wine will drink well into 2036+ and should be served in all-purpose stemware at cellar temperature.

Garon 2020 “Les Triotes” Cote Rotie

Craving something brooding and dark? We’ve all been there. The world is hard sometimes, we’re not here to judge. The 2020 “Les Triotes” is dark in the glass - almost ink like – with floral aromatics of rosewater and fresh violets alongside white nectarines and white pepper oil. The palate is only lightly phenolic with textures of carob, green olives, and black licorice. After a few hours I feel like the wine starts to open and coalesce into itself with notes of cooked meats, leather, and fleshy blue fruits. The wine has the body to last until day two, but I feel like the wine is showing best between one hour of opening to 6-7 hours. The depth of the wine enables the wine to age for 10+ years, but I recommend drinking between now – 2034. Serve at cellar temperature in all-purpose stemware alongside hearty stews, chilis, or grilled lamb.

Francois Chidaine 2021 “Les Choisilles” Montlouis Sur Loire 

Unbeknownst to me, I have subconsciously been craving Chenin; I suppose this shouldn’t come as a surprise since Chenin Blanc is absolutely gang-busters delicious. This cuvee from Chidaine has a forward presence right off the pop with juicy notes of lychee, ripe pineapple, orgeat (read: it tastes like a Mai Tai). As time marches forward, the wine lightens, brightens, and the concludes with a more prominent texture akin to green apple skins or hard mineral water. This doesn’t detract from the plushness of the mid palate, but rather adds complexity to an already fascinating glass of wine. For food pairings, I might opt for something with fatty density; think quiches, coq au vin, or just eat whatever cheese board sounds good to you because life is short and you work hard and damn isn’t pecorino delicious? Drink now – 2034/36 and serve just above refrigeration temperature in all-purpose stemware.