Sonoma VS Washington VS Stellenbosch - Battle Bordeaux
It was a battle royale last night as close friends Karen " The Dutchess " & Frank Needham " FRANC " came over for dinner. Wifey Jennifer @jenmellet ( Instagram ) laid out an amazing spread for us.
We started off with Spring Bruschette which was essentially crostini with asparagus, ricotta & parmesan cheese. The appetizers were paired with the Repris Red Wine 2010 from Sonoma CA.
Excerpt from Repriswines.com
TASTING NOTES The extremely cold 2010 vintage proved that extra attention to the vineyard and a little luck can go a long way. We limited clusters to one per shoot allowing the grapes their best chance to fully ripen.
The result was a small crop with well-balanced fruit. Each varietal in this blend gives unique characters to the wine and collectively create a wine greater than the individual parts. Dark cherry, blackberry, cedar, and violets represent the different varietals.
The palate offers up strawberry and cranberry along with subtle notes provided by French oak. The silky texture brings everything together.
WINEMAKING Blend:
Yield: 33% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec
Yeast: 1 ton / acre
Ferment: Native 15 days skin contact, open-top fermentation, hand punch downs
Aging: 22 months in 100% French Oak, racked twice, bottled unfiltered and unfined
Cellaring: 12-15 years
pH: 3.70
TA: 5.49 g/l
Alcohol: 14.9%
Production: 81 cases
The main course was homemade Cavatelli Pasta with a spicy sausage/tomato sauce base with dried Mexican chili's sprinkled on top. The main course brought out the 2 main wines for the night which were the 2013 Corliss Red Wine & the Waterford Estate The Jem 2012.
Excerpt from Winecellar.co.za/Waterford The Jem
Tasting Notes 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Shiraz, 14% Merlot, 11% Cabernet franc, 4% Mourvedre, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Barbera and 3% Sangiovese
The Jem is an expression of the Helderberg - Stellenbosch terroir. The wine has been grown and crafted to show a combination of fruit and spice on aroma with elegantly layered tannins to enhance the flavour and finish.
Waterford Estate released their flagship red wine, The Jem, in October 2007. Waterford’s ambition has always been to make the best possible red wine from their home grown vineyards, a wine that expresses Waterford’s ethos of uncompromising quality. This wine has been ten years in the making, and is dedicated to, and named after, Jeremy Ord, the proprietor of Waterford Estate, who is fondly known as Jem to his friends and family.
Excerpt from Corliss.com 2013
“Bright, full medium ruby. Aromas of currant, spices, herbs, licorice and scorched earth are lifted by hints of violet and rose petal that may be from the Cabernet Franc. Very concentrated, tactile wine with a pleasing balance of fruit sweetness and tannins.
A dominant redcurrant flavor is complicated by a meaty nuance and a suggestion of brown sugar, with energizing Cabernet-typical herb and licorice notes emerging as the wine opens in the glass. Very suave, broad, big wine with a serious tannic spine to support extended aging.” Steve Tanzer, 94pts
“Sporting the normal inky color (these Corliss releases are always inky colored) and classic notes of blackcurrants, chocolate, mulled spices, and espresso, it hits the palate with a full-bodied, elegant, beautifully balanced style. Layered, pure, with nicely integrated acidity and ripe yet present tannin, it’s very much in the style of this estate and will keep for 15+ years.” Jeb Dunnuck 95pts
We finished off watching The Cowboys game savoring the last drops of our incredible wines & enjoying this incredible homemade lemon tart.
#jenmellet #corliss #thejem #repriswine #bordeauxblend #redwine #fightclub #cavatelli