presented by Andrew & Robin Angell and Ernest Swindell & Alonna Bailey
Tonight we introduce you to Ernest Swindell & Alonna Bailey (@alwaysxcel).
We will pair their delicious XCEL Bars (Meal Replacements) with wines for an amazing experience.
Saint Nabor Chardonnay ~ 2022
Vintners from father to son for 6 generations; the Castor family is an example of continuity and tradition. The estate grew from 7 hectares in the 1970s to 140 hectares under the Castor family. The family maintains its objectives to create superb, high-quality wines from high-quality materials, a perfect balance between tradition and technology.
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay – ABV 13%
Tasting notes: This 100% Chardonnay is bright with a light gold hue. The nose is elegant, with the richness of exotic fruits enhanced by crisp apple aromas. The palate is light and crisp with a fresh taste; we find deep exotic aromas of pineapple and banana coupled with a well-balanced body.
Xcel Pairing: Coconut Cashew Bar
Pairings: Serve chilled with sweet and spicy Chinese food, pork chops braised with onion and garlic or with an apricot tart. You can also enjoy it on its own.
Producer: Chateau Saint-Nabor / Appellation: Vin de Pays d’Oc, Rhone Valley, France
Bendis Rose’ ~ 2022
A wine with a sensual and sparkling interpretation of the elegance of Pinot Noir. An attractive, modern soul, perfect to share with loved ones or acquaintances. The plants are managed entirely by hand and the phytosanitary treatments follow the indications of organic viticulture. Hand-picked grapes, manual selection of the grape clusters and the berries.
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Tasting notes: Delicate, smooth, creamy red berry fruits, rose, and peach on the nose. On the palate, its delicate flavors are lifted by joyful bubbles and carried to a delightfully fruity and lingering finish.
Xcel Pairing: Cherry Sunflower Bar
Producer: Petro Vaselo / Appellation: Timiș, România
EASTON “E” Zinfandel ~ 2015
This is a non-contiguous, all estate-grown Zinfandel hand-crafted from grapes tended organically in the Rice-MacDonald vineyard site in the Fiddletown AVA. All fertilization is with organic-certified compost or green-manure cover crops. Rodents are managed by our barn owl air force. Grapes are all hand-harvested. Why “E”? “E” stands for: EASTON, Ecological Techniques, Estate-Grown, Elevation, and Exquisite.
Grapes: 100% Zinfandel – ABV 14.5%
Tasting notes: Shows great spicy aromatics, delicious boysenberry fruit flavors, and a fascinating mineral-laden finish.
Xcel Pairing: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Bar
Aging: 16 months in French oak, 2 years in bottle
Producer: Domaine de la Terre Rouge / Appellation: Fiddletown AVA, California, United States
Antucura Malbec ~ 2020
The vineyard is located 1050m above sea level and the vines thrive in the rocky, limestone soil; very little rainfall keeps them working hard to produce grapes of high quality. Manual harvesting ensures the best of them end up in the wine. Antucura Malbec is a bright and deep red color with violet hues.
Grapes: 100% Malbec – ABV 14.5%
Tasting notes: A complex nose, with notes of red fruits like blackberry, plum, and some floral. The palate is elegant with a soft, friendly attack, with good acidity in the mouth, and a long creamy finish with cherry and spice aromas
The color is a stunning dark red with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, herbs, and licorice. Full-bodied and smooth but still with balanced acidity. Extremely moreish.
Xcel Pairing: Black Coffee Bar
Pairings: BBQ favorites including beef or veggie burgers and sausages. Grilled portobello mushrooms. Classic beef dishes, lamb and strong cheeses including blue. Dark chocolate. This is also excellent without food.
Aging: 14 months in new fine-grained American oak barrels with 3 years of drying.
Producer: Antucura / Appellation: Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
