The OG Malbec & Valentines ❤️ Blind Tasting🍷

The OG Malbec & Valentines ❤️ Blind Tasting🍷
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Wine of the Week


Chateau De Gaudou 2017 Cahors

"Renaissance"


Cahors, France


$14.99, $13.49 for Wine Club Members


Last week we brought you a Malbec from Argentina.  This week we bring you the original Malbec from the village of Cahors, France.  Malbec has a bit of a troubled history in its homeland. Malbec is native to Cahors in southwest France and was once one of the most widely planted grapes in France. Even today, Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) regulations for Cahors wines require a minimum content of 70% Malbec. It's also one of the six grapes used to create red Bordeaux blends, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère. But along came the devastation of phylloxera and then the Great Frost of 1956. You will also find it planted in the Loire Valley France where they call it Côt.

Argentinian Malbecs are a well-known crowd pleaser; rich and fruity with soft tannins and a high acidity that means it's built to last. Due to the warmer climate in Argentina, it has dominant ripe blackberry and plum fruit flavors. Malbec seems to produce its darkest, most tannic expressions in limestone soils as found in Cahors. Malbec from the Cahors region is leathery and rustic with black pepper spice attributes. The cooler climate produces flavors of red currant, raspberry and black cherry or plum. French Malbecs also tend to age longer since they have a lower alcohol percentage, moderate tannins and acidity.  

This Cahors has eight years of bottle age so the tannic element has mellowed out and is ready to drink now. The following review was listed back in 2019...  "Equally full of fruit acid, this wine has a solid structure.  Black-currant flavors and suppported by the dense tannic structure.  All this means the wine needs time, and will be best from 2022 on." "90 Points" The Wine Enthusiast.







Fabrice Durou is the seventh generation to continue his family’s winemaking tradition in Cahors.  Aware of the importance of his heritage but carried aloft by the wings of youth, young vigneron Fabrice Durou creates wine worthy of Gaudou’s history combining organic farming and meticulous vineyard management with gentle winemaking that emphasizes fruit expression over wood.

The Gaudou estate sits in Vire-sur-Lot amongst a handful of Cahors’ other most prestigious vineyard addresses – A mythical location referred to as “The Beverly Hills of the Cahors Appellation” by critic Michele Bettane.  Most vines on the estate are considered “old vine,” some still on original rootstock being planted as far back as the late 1800s!

A variety of soil types and exposures within the estate drives complexity in the finished wine, and in addition to our current offerings you’ll see small quantities of Gaudou wines broken into seven single vineyard bottlings.  Fabrice has evolved a “Cru” based philosophy with the intention to showcase the unique characteristics of each vineyard block he is farming. 




 


 

NEW ARRIVALS

Notes by Stefano Brandi



Ovum Big Salt Orange 2023

Willamette Valley, Oregon

$19.99, $17.99 for Wine Club Members

Founded in 2011 by Ksenija and John House, Ovum Wines is committed to creating wines that reflect the true essence of Oregon terroirs. Ovum’s philosophy is rooted in low-intervention winemaking, allowing the vineyard and vintage to speak for themselves.

The Big Salt Orange Rosé is a 50/50 blend of Pinot Gris and skin-contact varietals, the same used for their Big Salt white blend. The Pinot Gris comes from Booth Hill, a vineyard in Hood River planted in the mid-80s, where the high-elevation basaltic volcanic soils contribute to its bright acidity and complex minerality. The grapes here benefit from a cool microclimate, ensuring slow, even ripening and preserving the fruit’s freshness. The other half of the wine comes from 12 different vineyards across Oregon. These vineyards range from 300 to 1,500 feet in elevation and feature a mix of serpentine, loess, basalt and marine sedimentary soils. The diverse range of vineyards provides a complexity that enhances the wine’s profile—Riesling adds minerality and crispness, Gewürztraminer contributes aromatic intensity, Early Muscat brings floral notes and Sauvignon Blanc offers a bright acidity.

Pinot Gris is destemmed into 1-ton fermenters where 5 gallons of skin-contact Muscat and Gewürztraminer are added to encourage native fermentation. After two weeks of daily pumpovers, the wine has turned dark cranberry in color, at which point it is racked into neutral barrel with 50% Big Salt white blend. After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages on lees for 5-6 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

On the nose, Big Salt Orange Roé showcases orange and citrus, hibiscus and autumn spices. The palate is layered with notes of roasted carrot, ginger and red apple skin. The wine’s structure is full and textured with a savory finish. Despite its richness, the acidity remains crisp, offering a refreshing balance.

This wine, amazing as aperitif, is also incredibly versatile for food pairings: crunchy greens and roasted root vegetables, fried foods and roasted white meats. Big Salt Orange is a perfect introduction to the world of skin-contact wines.





Castello di Perno Barbera d'Asti 2021

Piedmont, Italy

$24.99, $22.49 for Wine Club Members

The medieval Castello di Perno has long been a hub of culture and history, from its origins in the Middle Aged as a defensive stronghold under the Falletti family to its role as a literary retreat under publisher Giulio Einaudi, hosting writers like Primo Levi. Since 2012, the Gitti family has restored it not only as a cultural center but also as an estate committed to expressing Piedmont’s viticultural heritage.

Situated in Monforte d’Alba, Castello di Perno embraces a neoclassical Barolo philosophy, crafting wines that balance tradition with modern precision. While their focus is Nebbiolo, their Barbera d’Asti is a testament to their dedication to varietal purity and terroir expression.

The Barbera grapes undergo meticulous hand selection, followed by destemming, a cold maceration for 48 hours, and spontaneous fermentation with an extended 20-day maceration. Aged exclusively in stainless steel for nine months, the wine is bottled and released after the summer, preserving its freshness and vibrancy.

This 2021 Barbera d’Asti bursts with lively aromas of red cherries, wild berries, violets and hints of spice. The palate is bright and dynamic, with crisp acidity enhancing flavors of ripe plums, raspberries and a subtle earthiness. Silky tannins, balanced fruit and freshness and a mineral finish make it an extremely food-friendly Barbera.

Castillo di Perno is a match made in heaven with classic Piemontese dishes: risotto and fresh pasta with truffle, polenta with game and duck ragù, and roasted root vegetables.

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NEW ARRIVALS

Notes by Hannah Green



Faustino Rioja 2021

Rioja, Spain

$10.99, $9.89 for Wine Club Members

In the mid 1800s, Eleuterio Martinez Arzok began establishing himself as a wine producer and merchant from the Rioja region of Spain. He started out selling his wines in the Rioja and Basque regions, direct from the barrel.

In the late 1950s, his similarly adventurous descendant, Julio Faustino Martinez, launched the family-owned label in both national and international markets. Today, Bodegas Faustino is Rioja's largest exporter of Gran Reserva wines, with 1600 acres of its own vineyards. The vineyards are located in the upper part of Rioja Alavesa at altitudes between 1500 and 1800 feet. The climate is cool, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, and the vines thrive in the chalky soil. The state-of-the-art winery has a stock of 45,000 barriques, 80% of which are American oak. The winery maintains a permanent stock of 9 million bottles of Reserva and Gran Reserva wines.

Their Art Collection line pays homage to famous Rembrandt paintings, reimagined by artist Willy Ramos. Their 2021 Art Collection Rioja is yes, fresh and vibrant, crafted for freshness and bright fruit with hints of spice and toast from the six months it spends in American oak.

“Lovely dark plums, bark, mussels, pencil lead and mushrooms on the nose, following through to a medium-bodied, juicy palate with nice savoriness. Tight and fine-grained. Drink now or hold. 91 points” James Suckling

This is a crazy-good value bottle. Pop open any weeknight or for a crowd. Enjoy on its own or pair with juicy lamb burgers, mushroom pizza, jambalaya, or caramelized ground pork with roasted plums.

100% Tempranillo





Ventisquero Grey Carménère 2021

Maipo Valley, Chile
 
$19.99, $17.99 for Wine Club Members

Inspired by his passion for the land and a love of farming, Chilean Gonzalo Vial decided to embark on a new project: a winery that would honor Chile’s origins in its approach and its wines. The first vines at the Trinidad property were planted in the coastal region of the Main Valley in 1998. The first harvest took place at the dawn of the new millennium, led by winemaker Felipe Tosso, and the first Ventisquero wines were released in 2001.

The winery is motivated by ongoing curiosity to achieve great quality, and the team continues to experiment and allow the land and vintage to lead their winemaking.

Their Grey line represents the complete expression of a single block of vines. Hand-harvested grapes are personally selected and given exceptional care under the direct management of Felipe Tosso. Their 2021 Carmenere is a classic expression of the variety, revealing soft pyrazines, black fruit, earthiness and floral violets on a gentle, well-rounded palate.

The nose reveals blackberries, blueberries and black cherries intermingled with notes of pepper and spices, along with damp earth and graphite. In the mouth, this wine has vibrant body and is very fresh and tense. It is smooth on entry, with firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidity, which makes for a long, persistent finish.

Pair with chicken mole, roasted veggie fajitas, beef stew and black pepper tofu.


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FRIDAY TASTING

Blind Tasting Experiment

With S&J Staff

Friday, February 14th, 3-5:30 pm

This Valentine's Day we thought we'd bring back an old customer favorite.  We will be pouring several wines that have something in common. It's your job to try to figure out what the connection is. Maybe they are all examples of one varietal. Maybe just one producer. If you have never tasted wine "blind" ( Yep. In a brown paper bag), it gives you great perspective on what you are tasting. Don't pick wine by the label. After taking away all the marketing "BS", it comes down to just one thing: do you like it?

Now this is all in fun. Not a test by any means. You will not be graded.
Come on down and explore your palate.

Friday, February 14th. 3-5:30 pm. $5 fee. Wine Club Members receive one free tasting per membership.

 

The Line up
 

You tell us!


Friday, February 14th. 3-5:30 pm. $5 tasting fee. One free ticket per Wine Club Membership.

 






Upcoming Tastings


 Valentines Day Blind Tasting Experiment
with S&J Staff
Friday, February 14th, 3-5:30

Two Vintners Winery, Washington
–Meet the Winemaker
with Morgan Lee
Friday, February 21st, 3-5:30 pm

Owen Kotler Selections 
Enjoying Wines that have no oak presence,
i.e. clay anfora, concrete, stainless steel...
With Ben Reece
Friday, February 28th, 3-5:30 pm

Exploring Tuscany with Winebow Imports
With Hayley Black
Friday, March 7th, 3-5:30 pm 
$5 fee.  Wine Club Members receive one free tasting per membership.


CLICK FOR MORE INFO
 



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Email: ted@sjwinemerchants.com

 

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