Tonight's Lineup: .JPG)
2016 Ameztoi Rubentis Getariako Txakolina Rosé $27.99  
About the Winemaker Ignacio Ameztoi is the seventh generation to carry on the tradition of making Txakolina in the province of Getaria. They own 20 hectares of vines with sand and clay soils. From the vineyards one can see the town of St. Sebastian and understand the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on local viticulture. This wine is made from the indigenous grape varieties of Hondarribi Zuri and its red companion Hondarribi Beltza. The wines are fermented in stainless steel and bottled with residual carbonic acid that gives the wine its natural spritz. By adjusting the blend to increase the amount of Hondarribi Beltza, the red txakolina grape, Ameztoi has made this rose txakolina that retains all the freshness of traditional white txakolina but with a slight taste of strawberries and red candied fruit. Great for sipping while sharing a warm summer evening with friends. 
About the Wine The grape harvest begins between the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The picking is all done by hand and only the bunches that fulfil the strictest quality requirements are collected. First the grapes, both red and white, are de-stemmed. Then they are cold macerated for about 12 hours, adjusting the exact time depending on the ripeness of the grapes. Fermentation is about 20 days long where the white and red grapes are worked together, not separately. The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is pale pink with shades of fuchsia, its bright tone shows a fine and elegant bubble. On the nose, one can find fine and sophisticated fragrance accompanied with notes of citrus and and sweet red fruits. Harmonious in the mouth, combined with a freshness that reminds you the strawberry sour caramel, tasting cheerful because of its bubbles. This a wildly intriguing rosé. 2016 Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay $29.99  
About the Winery Founded in 1999 by Dominique Lafon, Héritiers du Comte Lafon is his trailblazing, biodynamic Mâconnais domaine. These world class Chardonnay display what this magical region is capable of producing. Historically, the Mâconnais was known for industrially farmed, volume driven wines. Dominique was the first Cote d’Or producer to invest in the immense potential hidden in those rolling hills by buying higher altitude, old vine parcels with the intent of letting this beautiful terroir (perhaps one of the most picturesque wine regions in the world) reach its full potential. He started by converting all of the vineyards to biodynamic farming –the Lafon way! Early on, he strived to preserve the fruit and minerality of the region by using only larger, neutral wood for the aging of the wines. His belief and passion for the region has made Héritiers a towering beacon for fine wine in the previously overlooked Chardonnay mecca. In 2006, he appointed longtime apprentice Caroline Gon as head winemaker of the Domaine. Under her tireless and inspired leadership, the gospel of quality Mâconnais is spreading far and wide, with a clear and definitive voice. 
About the Wine From clay- and chalk-based parcels, Organic and Biodynamic certified, 25 year old vines are located 650-900 ft. altitude from clay and chalk-based soils. Harvesting is done manually, after many maturity checks. A first sorting is done at the vine by the grape harvesters, to eliminate gray mold and less ripe grapes, supplemented by a table of tris in winery if necessary. The goal is to only produce healthy, ripe grapes. Once the alcoholic fermentations are finished, the wine is dry, ie it contains less than 2 gr / l of residual sugar. Between the end of sugars and the start of malo-lactic fermentations, and following the tasting of the barrels, the wines are beaten at rhythms varying according to the vintages and the cuvées, always preserving the fruit qualities and the elegance of the wines. The aging will be more or less long according to the vintages: some wines will be bottled in the following spring after 18 months, the others in summer, after 22 months of rearing. 2015 Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf du Pape $42.99  
About the Winery Isabel Ferrando’s reputation for outstanding wines has grown every vintage since her first release in 2003. She purchased Domaine Saint Préfert from the Serre family, who was one of the first to estate-bottle in the appellation in the 1930’s; at that point, the domaine was 13.2 hectares, all in the Les Serres lieux-dit, south of the village of Châteauneuf. In 2004, she purchased more land and started making the 100% Grenache cuvée Colombis, primarily from the lieux-dit of Colombis, with sandy soil; she bottles this wine as Domaine Isabel Ferrando. There is not a secret formula here to making great wines. Ferrando has a young team and she is open to new ideas; she relies on tradition without being trapped by it. Starting in the 2009 vintage, Isabel started working with whole-cluster fermentations (without added yeasts,) finding that it increased freshness in the wines and lowered alcohol, giving the wines vibrance. Aging happens in a mix of concrete and 600L used barrels for up to 18 months. 
About the Wine Ferrando has always farmed organically. She has very old vines in her holdings: the Grenache vines average more than 70 years old, and she still has some of the original Mourvèdre that was planted in the 1920’s. Throughout each parcel, all thirteen varieties are co-planted, something that Henri Bonneau told her is, “the beginning of the complexity [of her wines.]” 100% whole-cluster fermentation and aged 15 months in cement. 85% Grenache, 5% Cinsault, 5% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre. Critical Acclaim "Vivid ruby. Lively, sharply focused red berry, floral pastille and Asian spice scents, along with suggestions of garrigue and smoky minerals. Sweet, focused and seamless in texture, offering intense raspberry, spicecake and lavender flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Clings with real authority on the subtly tannic finish, leaving a suave floral note behind. This is an outstanding example of a "basic" Châteauneuf."–91-93 Points. Josh Raynolds, Vinous "The stunning 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape is a wine to buy a case of as it has beautiful concentration and depth, as well as the elegance, purity and finesse that’s the hallmark of the estate." –91-93+ Points. Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate * * * |
Cocktail Recipe of the Week: Peach Tequila Melba 
Perfect for this time of year, we couldn’t resist an amazing August-driven cocktail! Ingredients: 2 Oz. Cimarron Blanco Tequila 1 Oz. Heavy Cream ¾ Oz. Chambord 3 Peach Slices Directions: Grill (or pan sear) your peaches. Add two slices to your cocktail shaker with tequila. Muddle and add cream and Chambord with ice then shake vigorously. Add ice to your old-fashioned glass and strain shaken cocktail into glass. Garnish with final peach slice. * * * Snack of the Week: Four Fat Fowl's St. Stephen Triple Cream 
This cheese is a beautiful, hand-crafted triple cream that bursts with buttery and milky overtones. A smooth, silky interior made from all natural jersey cow’s milk and fresh jersey cream creates the perfect texture, while the soft, bloomy rind adds an earthy flavor with nutty undertones. St. Stephen will leave you wanting more to share with a friend and a glass of bubbly. This classic cheese works anytime of day – spread it on your toast for breakfast, serve it as an appetizer before dinner or dress it up with some honey or berries for a fancy dessert. * * * Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your continued support! Cheers! -All of us at Tewksbury Fine Wines |
