Luxurious Whites & Late-Summer Reds
Remember us? It’s been a few weeks since we’ve written because A) we’ve been soaking up the last of the summer rays but B) more importantly, we’ve been busy plotting a dream lineup of wines to arrive for fall / winter. We have some very exciting things coming down the pipeline, but in the meantime, here are a couple of knock-out mixed cases to guide you into the cooler months.
LATE SUMMER FRENCH REDS ⇀ $219.99 per 6-bottle case
Some of our absolute favourite lighter-styled reds. These are wines that you may not know or typically gravitate toward (especially in a 12-pack) but that are seriously delicious and worth seeking out. This is a great opportunity to explore some off-the-beaten-path gems that come highly recommend by us. All three are light on their feet but not light on flavour, and are bursting with energy.
2 bottles Le Soula NV Trigone Rouge / Roussillon
2 bottles Jean Bourdy 2018 Côtes du Jura Rouge / Jura
2 bottles Dominique Piron 2017 Morgon ‘La Chanaise’ / Beaujolais
Le Soula is one of the most exciting producers in France, popping up on Michelin-star wine lists around the world. The winery is located in the small village of Fenouillèdes in the foothills of the Pyrenese. They work with high-elevation biodynamic vineyards to produce ethereal mountain wines. Trigone is their non-vintage entry-level wine meant for earlier drinking. Often a blend, this current iteration is 100% Syrah. It’s naturally fermented with whole clusters and then aged in large neutral barrels. Bright, peppery, and thirst quenching at 12%.
Jean Bourdy is one of the oldest domaines in the Jura region, nestled between Switzerland and Burgundy. The winery dates back to the 15th century and has been family run for 15 generations. In addition to making sherry-like whites (the local speciality), they also make this red blend from Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and Trousseau. Think Burgundy but if Burgundy traded in its oxfords for muddied Blundstones. Red berries, underbrush, herbs, florals. Certified biodynamic.
Dominique Piron is one of the historic wineries of Beaujolais. Dominique, the 14th generation winemaker, produces wines from across the appellation, but the best come from Morgon. Of the 10 Crus in Beaujolais, Morgon is known for being one of the fuller bodied and most robust. This 100% Gamay comes from sloped granitic vineyards. Piron farms sustainably wherever possible, though isn’t certified. This has just a hint of structure with blueberry, violet, and beets.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST WHITES ⇀ $294.99 per 6-bottle case
We love high-acid, elegant, old-world whites. But come fall, we’re looking to something a little more luxurious. We’ve paired two top Oregon wines that are fruity, textured, and with a little extra weight on the palate. To top it off, we threw in a couple bottles of new Champagne-style bubbly from Northern California.
2 bottles Ponzi 2018 Pinot Gris / Willamette Valley
2 bottles St Innocent 2017 Chardonnay ‘Freedom Hill Vyd’ / Willamette Valley
2 bottles Roederer Estate NV Brut / Anderson Valley, California
St Innocent is a boutique winery in the Willamette Valley that was founded by Mark Vlossak in 1988. In undergrad, he fell in love with Champagne and decided to abandon his studied to become a winemaker. Production has grown from 600 to 6000 cases per year, and everything is handcrafted They’re best known for their single-vineyard Pinots, but the Chardonnays do not disappoint.
Roasted pears, apples and sweet spices fill your nose, with secondary aromas of peach compote and white flowers. This nose is more luxuriant and textured than usual. Likewise, the palate is broadly and pungently textured with white and yellow fruits, juicy, complex acidity and soft warm spices. This “normal” vintage after three early and warm summers is clearly more complex, savoury and denser in mouth feel.
– Winemaker, Mark Vlossak
Ponzi is one of the pioneering wineries of Oregon and is celebrating its 50th vintage this year. Dick and Nancy Ponzi moved their kids to the Willamette in the late sixties to pursue what began as a Pinot Noir passion project. In 1978, they planted some of the very first plantings of Pinot Gris (real trend setters).
Honeydew melon, white peach, kaffir lime with spicy notes of cardamon, clove and floral aromatics of pear blossom and candied orange make this appealing nose leap from the glass. The fresh palate is defined by tangerine and kumquat acidity intermingled with apricot and green tea.
- Winemaker, Luisa Ponzi
Roederer Estate is the California outpost of Champagne Louis Roederer and is new to our portfolio. They’ve been making serious sparkling wines in the Anderson Valley since 1982 that are considered among the best in America.
93, Wine Advocate [September 2020]
The current release of the NV Estate Brut is made up mainly of fruit from the 2015 vintage. It is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir and was made with about ten grams per liter dosage. Disgorged in October of 2018, it has a fresh, open nose with pure fruit expression: crushed apples, pears and lemon peel mingle with touches of stone, flowers and toast. The medium-bodied palate offers a lovely dichotomy of toasty fruits with uplifted citrusy, minerally accents with a finely beaded mousse, and it finishes long and ultra fresh.
Contact: MichelleD@lifford.com for more information.