Presented by Josh Cronin from Curated Wine Group
Txakolina ~ 2024
Bodegas Itsasmendi (Basque for “Sea and Mountain”) comprises 35 hectares of vineyards originally planted in 1989. It’s located in the Basque DO of Bizkaiko Txakolina overlooking the Bay of Biscay, not far from the city of Bilbao. Grapes are farmed by a small group of partners who own the extraordinarily beautiful land. Since 2002, Itsasmendi’s winery and a large portion of their vineyard have been in the UNESCO-declared Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai. Sustainable viticulture and environmentally friendly winemaking.
Appellation: Bizkaiko Txakolina, Spain
Grapes: 100% Hondarrabi-zuri – ABV 12.5%
Tasting notes: Bright, lemon yellow in color. Fresh citrus aromas of lemon, lime, and Mandarin orange with delicate floral and mineral notes. Crisp and fresh on the palate, with bright acidity, and a dry, lingering, clean finish.
Producer: Bodegas Itsasmendi
Cotes de Provence Rosé ~ 2024
Gassier is the very expression of an inspired, unspoiled Provence, where the voice of the terroir resonates in every plot and where the winemaker’s savoir-faire is revealed in every bottle. The certified organic vineyard thrives on this exceptional terroir designated DGC Sainte-Victoire, a more restricted zone of production within the AOC. With Georges Gassier, soon to be joined by his son Jean, the fifth generation of winemaking artisans continues, inheriting the expertise shaped by their ancestors at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire. The history of Maison Gassier is one of interwoven innovation, heritage and passion. While his ancestors – Gustave, Léon, and Raymond – each left their mark on the Provençal wine landscape, it was Antoni Gassier, Georges’ father, who revitalized the 40-hectare vineyard when he discovered this special place and its distinctive energy in 1982.
Appellation: Provence, France
Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Vermentino- ABV 13%
Tasting notes: A light color with peach nuances. An expressive nose with delicate notes of white flowers, peach and pomelo. A balanced and round wine in the mouth. A nice length with peach aromas and a fresh finish with a touch of acidity.
Pairings: Stunning with a scallop tartare, Mediterranean Sea urchins, a grilled John Dory, a creamy crayfish bisque with chives, Guinee fowl supreme with chanterelle and morel mushroom and chestnuts, or a carpaccio of strawberries
Producer: Château Gassier
Régnié La Ronze ~ 2023
The estate’s history started in 1840. Blue granite south facing vineyards gave the raw material for magnificent fruity and generous Gamay wines. With passion and determination, they broke with the region’s mainstream methods and, from 1992, formalized their use of integrated, eco-friendly vine tending techniques, always aiming to strengthen their respect for their terroirs. They equipped themselves with modern, high performance tools to fulfil their ambition: to offer wines that are faithful representations of each terroir the grapes come from.
Appellation: Beaujolais, France
Grapes: 100% Gamay – ABV 13%
Tasting notes: Cherry red in hue, it combines finesse, suppleness and structure, giving off aromas of red fruit (raspberry and redcurrant) and subtle nuances of floral scents. It is well balanced with remarkable length on the palate.
Pairings: Enjoy with jugged rabbit, roast beef or pheasant.
Producer: Domaine Bel-Air
Father’s Watch Red Blend ~ 2023
Kivelstadt Cellars was founded on our love of amazing California vineyards. Our focus is exploring incredible California vineyards with a nod toward the rich history and balance of old-world wines. Venturi Vineyard is located just north of Ukiah, in the Calpella Valley, on predominantly Pinole gravelly loam soils. Pinole soils are some of the most sought-after soil types in Mendocino County. Highly deficient in organic matter, the moderately acidic soil pH allows for optimal nutrient uptake to allow the vines to thrive dry farmed. This 70 year-old vineyard is still amazingly healthy and productive. The vineyard is Certified Organic and dry farmed (never irrigated). To allow each variety to be as expressive as possible, the grapes were picked and fermented separately.
Appellation: Mendocino, California
Grapes: 34% Grenache, 34% Carignane, 32% Syrah – ABV 13.20%
Tasting notes: Plushly dark-fruited on the nose with slight peppery, savory notes from the Syrah. The palate, on the other hand, is bursting with strawberry and herbal tones from the Grenache. The high-toned raspberry flavors of Carignane lift and lengthen the refreshing finish, beckoning further sips. Well integrated flavors and a polished tannin structure.
Pairings: Korean BBQ & Pastrami Tacos.
Producer: Kivelstadt Cellars
