Wine and Small Bites Destin neighborhood gathering

Wine and Small Bites neighborhood gathering … 

Visiting our Destin vacation home, we welcomed new neighbors Dennis and Lisa and gathered to meet for a casual “Wine and small bites” gathering. 

We missed Fletcher, under the weather, and several other regulars who were traveling, but enjoyed a casual gathering none-the-less. 

We grilled BBQ ribs and flank steak served with Brussel sprouts. Accompaniments include five artisan cheeses and a medley of fresh fruits and  vegetables. 

Beverages served were a selection of craft beers, alcoholic and alcohol free spritzers, sodas and juices. 

I opened two red and two white wines for sipping and pairing with the foods - two I brought from our home cellar whose time it was to drink, and two high QPR selections from the local fine wine retailer. 

Domaine Louis Latour Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy Pinot Noir 2005 

CellarTracker records show I purchased this wine in 2010. At fifteen years, this is within but nearing the end of its optimal drinking window, hence I pulled it from the cellar for consumption. Tonight was a perfect occasion to taste and share this wine.  

This is from the centuries old Domaine Louis Latour one of Burgundy’s oldest negociant domaine producers of a large portfolio of wines ranging from $25 to $300. This label is 100% Pinot Noir from the Côte de Beaune region, village and appellation of  Aloxe-Corton.

The village of Aloxe-Corton is located in the north of Côte de Beaune on a stony hillside at the foot of the hill of Corton. It was in 1862 that the name of the climat Corton was added to the village name Aloxe. The vineyards of Domaine Louis Latour surround the famous village and yield a classic Aloxe-Corton.

Latour’s estate vines average 30 years, grown in limestone, alluvial sand, and gravel soils that produce structured age worthy wines.

 

The 2005 Louis Latour Aloxe-Corton hails from a legendary, classic Burgundy vintage and is now fully mature. The 2005 red Burgundy vintage is widely celebrated as an exceptional, structured and age-worthy classic "dream vintage" built for long-term aging. 

This release was aged for 10 to 12 months in French oak barrels with 15% new oak from the Louis Latour cooperage.

Winemakers notes - (Tasted January 2007)  “This wine will entice you with its vegetable notes and its subtle mint hints. The bouquet is completed with aromas reminiscent of black currant blossoms. Once on the palate the tannins are light and the flavors of jammed fruits, and even marmalade will ravish your palate. A harmonious wine which will taste wonderfully in two years.”

At fifteen, the label, foil and most importantly the fill level and cork were pristine. Dark ruby colored, medium bodied, concentrated, firmly structured yet nicely balanced, red currant, ripe red raspberry and plum with hints of cranberry fruits with notes of spice, hints of savory leather and tobacco, black pepper, and vanilla from oak aging, with a supple yet firm tannic structure on a long earthy mature finish. 

RM 89 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?369984

Beringer Private Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014

This is from Beringer, California's longest continuously operating winery, founded by Jacob and Frederick Beringer in 1876. Visitors to Napa Valley flock to the Beringer estate castle-like Chateau on Hwy 29, just as you leave the town of St Helena headed north towards Calistoga. 

This is the flagship Chardonnay from one of the most storied producers in Napa Valley. Beringer dates back 1868, when Jacob Beringer, emigrated from Germany, and settled in Napa Valley 1869 where the rocky hillside soil and fertile valley floor resembled that of vineyards back home in Germany. He became cellar foreman for Charles Krug, one of the first commercial winemakers in Napa Valley. In 1875, he and his brother Jacob purchased 215 acres adjacent to Charles Krug in St. Helena for $14,500. The Beringer Brothers' first harvest and crush followed in 1876 producing nearly 40,000 gallons of wine, or 18,000 cases, that first year. 

Beringer established many 'firsts' as leaders in the wine industry. They were one of the first gravity fed facilities and among the first to operate using hand dug caves and cellars. Beringer were the first to give public tours in 1934, starting a Napa Valley hospitality tradition. 

Beringer were the first and only winery to have both a red and a white wine named #1 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. The Beringer Cabernet was named #1 Wine of the Year for the 1986 Cabernet by Wine Spectator (1990 edition). Six years later, Wine Spectator named the 1994 Chardonnay #1 Wine of the Year (1996 edition) - this is special because not only is it the first time a white wine has ever garnered that top spot, but Beringer was the first and only winery to ever have both a red and a white wine in that top slot.

Former Chief Winemakers Myron Nightingale and Ed Sbragia created the Private Reserve program in 1977 as the flagship labels of the portfolio. The Private Reserve Chardonnay was introduced with the 1978 vintage, and together these wines have earned three decades of extraordinary accolades, including two "Wine of the Year" awards. The 2015 and 2016 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon vintages were awarded back to back 99-point scores.

The fruit for this label is primarily sourced from their Gamble Ranch property in the Oakville AVAof Napa Valley. Only the finest lots were then selected for inclusion in this Private Reserve bottling. Each lot was kept separate from harvest all the way through the winemaking process. The wine was 100% barrel-fermented in French oak (80% new) with weekly lees stirring and 100% malolactic fermentation  to enrich the texture and profile, then aged for 9 months in predominately new French oak.

Upon release back in 2014, I picked up a few bottles, then picked up a few more. I should've grabbed more but I waited till I actually tried it to come to this conclusion, not based on the review.

This release was rated 95 points by James Suckling and Decanter, 92 points by Wine Spectator and 91 points by Vinous.

The Winemaker's tasting notes: "Aromas of grilled pineapple, ripe pear, lemon oil, hazelnut and toasted brioche. A bright fruit core is accentuated by a silky texture and flavors of yellow apple, Asian pear, meyer lemon and a lush, continuous finish.”  

We tasted and I wrote about this label back in 2019 in this blogpost - https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/07/beringer-private-reserve-napa.html.

Tonight’s tasting was largely consistent with that earlier review, however, at a dozen years, this wine was starting to show its age and it likely nearing the end of its optimal drinking window, so it should be consumed over the coming year or so. 

This was butter colored, medium full bodied, complex, rich, round, bright lively buttery creamy notes of crème brulée, notes of caramel and hazelnut with apple and citrus fruits accented by spice and toasty oak with hints of vanilla apple and peach on the long nicely balanced finish.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2256991

https://www.beringer.com/

I also opened another red and white, each with contrasting styles for comparing and sharing. Both of these labels were obtained at our local fine wine shop and proved to provide very nice QPR - Quality Price Ratios. Notes to follow. 

This winery direct purchase was recommended by Wade Stirewalt, Wine Director at The Wine Bar at Wine World, our local fine wine merchant. It is sourced directly from Navigator Wine Collection, an independent wine company based in Napa, California - a negociant producer/distributor. 

They offer more than 150 wines that recently earned 90-point scores or higher from the industry pundits  including Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, and James Suckling, 

Navigator Wine Collection is run by Taylor Case who began his wine career in 1995 at a restaurant with a 1,200-selection wine list, which sparked a lifelong passion for the industry. He’s worked in leadership at major distributorships Breakthru Beverage, Vineyard Brands, Wilson Daniels, and Folio. 

Taylor has supported the Destin Charity Wine Auction for more than 15 years, sponsors of the annual SoWal Wine Event featured in these pages Pour Boys gather for SoWal Wine Festival weekend in Destin, and SoWal Wine Festival Sandestin.

Performance Chardonnay, Carneros 2025

This 100% Chardonnay is sourced from leading vineyards in the Carneros Appellation down at the bottom of Napa Valley near San Pablo Bay where the cool fog and breezes waft in creating the perfect cooler climate for Chardonnay. 

This was barrel aged for 12 months in French oak.

This new release was rated 94 points by The Tasting Panel and 91 points by Wine Enthusiast. 

“A spectacular showing of ripe pear, MacIntosh apple tart, and tangerine cream. We give it a standing ovation for bright acidity and a gliding mouthfeel. Sandalwood and lemon meringue influence the sumptuous finish.” Meredith May at The Tasting Panel Magazine

It was crafted by winemaker Mike Rayner who grew up in a family with six generations in Sonoma County. After completing his studies at UC Davis, Mike began his winemaking career at Domaine Chandon, working on “méthode traditionnelle” sparkling wines. He also held key roles from Cellar Master to Winemaker at Carneros Creek Winery, Havens Wine Cellars, Newton Vineyard, Draxton Wines, and as Head Winemaker for Cameron Hughes Wine.

Mike is assisted by Associate Winemaker Lorena Hernandez. Born and raised in Oregon, Lorena earned her bachelor’s degree in Enology from Fresno State and began her career with E. & J. Gallo, then at Oak Ridge Winery as an Assistant Winemaker. 

Winemaker Notes - “ This Napa Valley Chardonnay unfolds with inviting aromas of ripe pear, golden apple, and fresh peach, layered with subtle notes of vanilla and toasted almond. Hints of lemon curd and warm baking spice lend depth and complexity, while the palate reveals generous orchard fruit wrapped in a rich, creamy texture. Balanced acidity brings freshness and poise, leading to a long, polished finish with lingering notes of ripe fruit, vanilla, and delicate toast.”

Refined and expressive, this Carneros Chardonnay offers ripe pear, golden apple, and peach with hints of vanilla and toasted almond.  This was golden colored, medium bodied, crisp vibrant pear and apple fruits with nutty refreshing tangy acid on a pleasant balanced finish. 

RM 91 points. 

Turning Point Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

We discovered and acquired this wine this summer at Wine World and found it be a high QPR enjoyable casual sipping red which we’ve enjoyed with pizza as well as grilled beefsteaks.  

This is another negociant producer collaboration, wherein the producer does not own the vineyards, but sources fruit (grapes) from growers, or even purchases excess wine inventory, and markets the finished producer under a co-label or own label. This Turning Point label is a collaboration between winemaker Nick Goldschmidt and distributor Vineyard Brands who are actually based in Birmingham, AL. 

The TURNING POINT branding refers to “the pivotal moment when the grapes begin their transformation into wine. It is a reflection of the end of summer, the ripening of a harvest and the excitement of a new vintage.”

The 2021 Turning Point Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied red wine produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Alexander Valley AVA of Sonoma County, California. It was aged in 15% French new oak.

It received Community average ratings average of 4.0/5 stars.

Producer Notes - “The 2021 vintage was one of the longest ripening seasons for the past two decades. Grape seasons are starting earlier due to lack of water in the soil and the early warm spring temperatures, but this evens out with the cooling trend that comes on in veraison on August. However, there was the head spike over Mother’s Day weekend which restricted the berry expansion. Yields were lighter, with small berries and small clusters.”

Producer/Winemaker Tasting Note: “This wine has a deep purple hue with a red middle and evidences aromas of dark cherry and blueberry. There is a concentration of blackberries, and bittersweet chocolate. It finishes both luxiouriously and velvety”.

Garnet purple colored, medium full bodied, full round black berry and hints of blueberry fruits with notes of clove spice and bittersweet mocha chocolate with a pleasant mild polished finish. 

RM 90 points. 

Available locally in Destin, FL via Wine World - Destin, or online through vendors like BuyWinesOnline.com and Wine on Sale).