presented by Brad Werner of Ocean South Imports
Rebel With a Cause Seneca Lake ~ NV
Red Tail Ridge provides an innovative viticulture program for the Finger Lakes. Wildflowers encourage pollinators, cover crops help nourish the soil & balance water, human hands tend & tame the vines, and nothing is used in the vineyard that can contaminate the soil. All this thoughtful work is done to produce the best fruit for our wines. The vineyard is managed using sustainable practices that balance safety with environmental & economic responsibility.
Appellation: Finger Lakes, NY
Grapes: 36% Teroldego, 10% Lagrein, 27% Cabernet Franc & 27% Blaufränkisch – 11.5% ABV
Production notes: Harvested by hand. The grapes were destemmed and placed in open air vessels for fermentation separately with twice-a-day punch downs. Full malolactic fermentation occurred. Then the wine was aged for 14 months in neutral French Barriques.
Producer: Red Tail Ridge
West Bank Dabouki Star of Bethlehem ~ 2022 [Organic]
The Cremisan Cellar inherits its namesake from the hill from which the grapes have been harvested since 1885. Modern wine-making equipment was introduced in 1997. The Cellar, which includes the wineries of Beit Jemal, is located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem with the border wall of Israel crossing through it. Grapes are primarily harvested from the al-Khader area. Grapes come from a dry-farmed vineyard in the Shaffa Valley, between Hebron and Bethlehem in Palestine, located at 950 meters above sea level and planted to clay soils. Pruning and harvest are done by hand.
Appellation: Bethlehem, Palestine
Grapes: 100% Dabouki – 13.5%
Tasting notes: Straw yellow with high acidity and minerality. Notes of Dead Sea salt, lime zest, melon, and apricot.
Pairings: Pair with Fattoush salad, Pesto Genevese, and summertime vibes by the water.
Producer: Cremisan Cellar
West Bank Baladi Star of Bethlehem ~ 2020 [Organic]
Grapes are handpicked at the beginning of September and de-stemmed into stainless tanks. The grapes are fermented with skins and seeds using selected yeasts. The wine is aged in oak barrels for 14 months before being filtered twice and bottled.
Appellation: Bethlehem, Palestine
Grapes: 100% Baladai – 14% ABV
Tasting notes: Stewed raspberry with plum, cranberry, and hints of forest floor on the nose. Plum, blackberry, stewed strawberry, and red apple skins on the palate. Long, dry finish.
Pairings: All celebrations.
Producer: Cremisan Cellar
Domaine Serguier, Châteauneuf-du-Pape ~ 2021
The AOC CdP wine appellation extends over 3,200 hectares and 5 typically Provençal communes on the right bank of the Rhône. The Serguier estate was established in the late 19th century by Hippolyte Serguier who later passed it on to his sons, one of whom was Gaston Serguier. It later passed to Gaston’s grandson. Daniel took over the estate in 1997 – almost 100 years after its founder.
Appellation: Châteauneuf du Pape, France
Grapes: Varieties: 70% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 4% Cinsault, 2% white grape varieties – 12% ABV
Tasting notes: The wine shows a beautiful, strong ruby hue with crimson highlights. On the nose, we find jammy red fruit aromas with touches of spice. The wine is full of coated tannins on the palate. The finish is finer on the fruit.
Pairings: Perfect accompaniment to red meats, beef ribs, game, goat and blue cheeses.
Producer: Domaine Serguier
