2025. 11. Wine Sharing

These are the wines I picked carefully at the time. Some wines are getting old and needed to be drunk soon. Some, I picked for you and Andrew. Enjoy!

2020 Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Trousseau Singulier

  • France, Jura

  • Trousseau

  • After tasting good wine you can’t help but spout off about its quality. Better wines can brew whole conversations. However, the best wines make you gasp and may leave you unable to articulate how the wine has made you feel. This red from Tissot kicks off with an aroma that is expansive and nuanced: wet earth, candied cherries, dry hay, and fresh rhubarb. The palate follows suit to satisfy those looking for both freshness and an earthy profile. Taut red fruit, dried mushrooms, and shredded ginger. While tasting this I couldn’t say anything other than “Mmmm,” “Pffff,” and “Ahhh!” (Astrowine)

  • JS: I’d say this is the feature wine of this flight this year. I really enjoyed this wine earlier this year. It is subtle, light, had little bit of earthiness in addition to lots of burgundy red type of fruits - strawberry, raspberry. I thought you and Andrew would enjoy it too.

2020 Domaine Chateau de la Selve Ardèche Petite Selve

  • France, Rhone, Northern Rhone, Ardeche

  • 40 % Cinsault, 40 % Grenache, 20 % Syrah

  • The rugged and beautiful Ardèche region makes just a little wine, but that of Château de la Selve deserves attention. Their goal is to produce naturally light wines with minimal intervention. The Petite Selve is a raspberry-fruited charmer based on Cinsault and Grenache. A bit of Syrah adds some structure and refinement. Fabulous with eggplant, tomato, and peppers. (Wine and Cheese Cask)

2019 Domaine Plaisance Penavayre Fronton Le Rouge

  • France, Southwest France, Fronton

  • Negrette

  • The house red of Toulouse in Southwest France comes from the Fronton appellation and is based on the centuries-old Négrette grape. Plaisance Penavayre’s 2019 is a biodynamic red with rich flavors of earth, barnyard, and ripe red plummy fruit. This deep, full-flavored red is perfect for lamb chops and ratatouille.

2023 La Calla Nero d’Avola

  • Italy, Sicily

  • Nero d’Avola

  • This Sicilian red is made from a combination of fresh and semi-dried grapes. Its hearty flavors make it ideal for a bean stew with chorizo.

2020 Koukos Mavrodaphne Daphne Noir Amphora

  • Greece, Peloponnisos, Achaia

  • Mavrodaphne

  • Native to the area surrounding Patras, Greece’s third largest city in the northern Peloponnese, the grape Mavrodaphne has historically been vinified sweet. However, the Koukos family chose to create a dry, amphora-aged version. The result is a delightful light red that bursts with aromas and flavors of macerated strawberries and savory herbs. Once you taste the wine, you’ll see why we delayed offering it until now as it tastes like a beautiful spring day. Enjoy with seared scallops or head-on shrimp, and finish with the sheep cheese in the Specialty Foods section. (Wine and Cheese Cask)

2015 Friedrich Becker Becker Family Pinot Noir

  • Germany, Pfalz

  • Pinot Noir (Spatburgunder)

  • A dark version, with fresh acidity in the background giving this vivaciousness and focus. Pure notes of dark cherry, spice and rose hip make this inviting, along with a lingering minerally accent on the finish. (Wine Spectator)

  • JS: I remember you liked Spatburgunder from Pfalz (A. Christman). This is from the same region. So, maybe it will give you similar pleasure?

2009 Château Orisse du Casse

  • France, Bordeaux, St. Emilion

  • 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Dark Ruby colour. Long distance wine made with a majority of Merlot. Only made on good vintages. Complex nose with red fruit and toasted notes. Round on the palate with a long finish. Look out for the depth of fruit and the intensity. Powerful, the reward will be there for those who are prepared to wait.

  • JS: It’s one of the bottles I bought very early in my collecting phase. And I kept it for a long time.

2017 Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico

  • Italy, Tuscany, Chianti Classico

  • Sangiovese

  • This wine just jumps at you with immediate notes of ripe cherry, chocolate, tobacco and toasted espresso bean. The 2017 Chianti Classico is robust on every level, a very modern and contemporary take on this Italian classic. There's a lot of sunny heat and energy in this vintage, a great choice for a cheerful plate of Tuscany's pici al buristo. The blend is 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot. With 95,750 bottles produced, you cannot beat this terrific value. (Wine Advocate)

2016 Cascina Ballarin Barolo

  • Italy, Piedmont, Barolo

  • Nebbiolo

  • The Viberti family has not entirely lost their sharecropper roots in Piedmont, when they grew fruit, nuts, and grains amidst the vines to scrape together a living. Today they produce a delicious and affordable Barolo from their prime Nebbiolo vines in La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, and Novello. The 2016 vintage spent 26 months in barrels and another 12 in bottle to create an immediately pleasurable dry red with lovely flavors of cherries, cacao, and toasted hazelnuts. It’s wonderful right out of the bottle, but even better when left to breathe for a couple of hours. (WIne and Cheese Cask)

2024 Wolffer Estate Summer in a Bottle Rose Cotes de Provence

  • France, Provence

  • Cinsault, Vermentino, Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache

  • Pale salmon in color with a light rose hue. The aroma is filled with fine and delicate fruits with hints of herbs, cranberry, and red currants. The mouthfeel is playful, yet well balanced and rich, reflecting the wonderful season. Beautiful, lush fruit with a lovely smooth tannin structure and refreshing light acidity and classic minerality. This is a perfect blend that is very sophisticated with beautiful layers and character. This rosé is engaging and delicious from start to the long finish. Great on its own but also a versatile food companion. (https://wolffer.com/products/summer-in-a-bottle-cotes-de-provence-rose-2024)

2016 Trimbach Riesling Reserve

  • France, Alsace

  • Riesling

  • Sleek and finely knit, with a racy backbone of acidity and a subtle, honeyed overtone to the flavors of crunchy white peach, preserved lemon, lanolin and pine. Long and creamy on the minerally finish. Drink now through 2029. (Wine Spectator)

2022 Domaine de la Janasse Viognier Vin de Pays de la Principauté d'Orange Blanc

  • France, Southern Rhone, Vin de Pays de la Principaute d’Orange

  • Viognier

  • Here is a wine that knocked our heads and minds back. The vines Janasse uses for its Viognier were sourced years ago from Condrieu. The past couple of vintages of this have been incredible. This is a super-rich white wine that impresses with its power and finesse. The exotic peachy and floral aromas of Viognier arrive with force. The palate has amazing fruit, body, and a lengthy, ripe finish. Try this with spicy scallops in a Thai-style broth. (Wine and Cheese Cask)

  • JS: Have you tried Viognier grape yet? This is a very unique grape originated from Northern Rhone, France. It has low acidity, lots of oily texture, and more than anything, quince/bitter taste for finish, very flowery aroma. Enjoy!