Pour Boys Summer Wine Dinner

Pour Boys Summer Wine Dinner 

Dr Dan and Linda hosted our Pour Boys Wine Group (sans Bill and Beth C who were traveling in St Julien, Bordeaux this week) for a gala summer dinner. 

As is customary, we each brought a couple bottles of wines to share and compare for pairing with the food. 

The ‘three amigos’ were reunited with Bob and Gloria flying in from Miami for the occasion. 

Besides Linda and I and Bob and Gloria, we were joined by Dan’s friends, Joe and Linda, and Linda S, as well as our Pour Boys Wine Group regulars, Ernie, Eric and Cathy and Lyle and Terry. 

Dan laid out his usual selection of artisan cheeses, nuts, chocolates, crackers and smoked salmon. 

The dinner feature theme this evening was ‘Sausage’ and there were five different sausages for the entree course, accompanied by corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, bean salad, quiche casserole and accoutrements. 

The sausages included Joe’s homemade Italian Sausage with cheese, Sheboygan Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Chicken Sausage, and Dan’s legendary family favorite, Cavapcici. 

After dinner there was a dessert sundae bar with ice cream and toppings, and a broad selection of Linda M’s home baked cookies, brownies, pierogis and assorted artisan chocolates, nuts, fresh berries, melon and pineapple with yogurt.

The collective group brought a wide selection of white and red wines as well as sparkling wine and champagne before dinner, and after dinner ‘sticky’ dessert wines and a vintage port. 

The White Wine flight included  …

Domaine Wachau Ried Traunthal Gruner Veltliner Federspiel 

Dr Loosen Erdenner Treppchen Mosel Riesling Ausliese 2019 

Darioush Napa Valley Viognier 2010 

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2020   

Sea Smoke Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay 2018

The Red Wine flight included …

Le Fonti Poggino Gran Selzione Chianti Classico 2018

Nino Negri Valtelina Superiore Inferno Ca’ Guicciardi (Nebbiolo) 2020

Sea Smoke Southing Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2018

Peter Michel “Les Pavots” Knights Valley Red Wine 2012 

Chateau Magdeleine St Emilion Premiere Grand Cru Classe 2011 

Hickinbotham “Brook’s Road”  McLaren Vale Clarendon Shiraz 2020 

After Dinner dessert wines … 

Chateau d’Yquem 2013 

Far Niente Dolce Napa Valley Late Harvest 2014

Graham’s Vintage Port 1991 

Unlike our typical wine dinners, that most often feature red meats and customary pairings of sophisticated Red Wines, tonight’s entree theme offered the chance to showcase and focus on White Wines as select food/wine pairings. 

The White Wines … 

Domaine Wachau Ried Traunthal Gruner Veltliner Federspiel 

Eric brought this classic Austrian Gruner Veltliner that he and Cathy tasted and acquired at the winery during their trip to the region last summer. 

Dr. Loosen Erdenner Mosel River Valley Treppchen Riesling Auslese 2019 

I brought from our cellar this highly rated premium Mosel Treppchen Riesling Auslese from a classic legendary producer.  Only the finest most select grapes are used in the “Auslese” (outstanding) bottling. This release was rated 95 points by both Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and James Suckling. 

Darioush Napa Valley Viognier 2010 

I also brought this interesting Viognier from ultra-premium Napa Valley producer Darioush, tasted and acquired at the winery during our Pour Boy’s Napa Valley Wine Experience 2017 - Darioush Napa Valley Estate Winery Visit & Tasting. 

This was the favorite wine of Dan’s daughter, Lauren, who accompanied us on that trip, which was also Linda A’s first Napa Valley wine experience. Darioush was also the featured producer at the first wine dinner we had with Bill and Beth C, which was the beginnings of what became our Pour Boys Wine Group. 

Also, Dan was our guest at a special Darioush Winemaker dinner at Everest Restaurant in Chicago hosted by owner producer Darioush and Shaptar Khaledi celebrating their collaboration with Olivier Bernard and Domaine de Chevalier in Pesaac Leognan Bordeaux. This was held back in 2004.shortly after Linda and I visited the winery and did a barrel tasting with winemaker Steve McDevitt during the construction of their magnificent hospitality center.

We had two wonderful ultra/premium Chardonnay’s …. Both offered great pairings with the sausage selections.

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2020   

Joe brought this classic, legendary Napa Valley crowd pleaser from Chateau Montelena. Of course, this was the label that put American wine on the map having won the historic blind tasting “Judgement of Paris”, chronicled and recreated in the wonderful entertaining wine movie, “Bottle Shock” - (Trailer).

 

Sea Smoke Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay 2018

Dan opened from his cellar collection, wine club allocation, Sea Smoke, a great comparison tasting to the Montelena. 

The Red Wines … 

Le Fonti Poggino Gran Selzione Chianti Classico 2018

Eric brought this Italian Sangiovese blend, acquired by one of his partners at the producer during a visit to the Chianti region in Northern Italy. 

https://www.lefontipoggibonsi.it/

Nino Negri Valtelina Superiore Inferno Ca’ Guicciardi (Nebbiolo) 2020

We tasted and Dan acquired this premium Nebbiolo at one of the Italian Village featured producer wine dinners. We’ve dined together at several Italian Village producer wine dinners, the most notably arguably being the memorable Sassicaia Owner Dinner and Vivere Vertical Tasting.

Peter Michel “Les Pavots” Knights Valley Red Wine 2012

Ernie brought from his home cellar one of my favorites, this vintage aged highly allocated ultra-premium Alexander Valley Bordeaux Blend from Peter Michel.

Chateau Magdeleine St Emilion Premiere Grand Cru Classe 2011

Dan contributed from his cellar this vintage aged Bordeaux.  

Hickinbotham “Brook’s Road”  McLaren Vale Clarendon Shiraz 2020 

Lyle brought from his home cellar this highly rated allocated limited release Aussie Shiraz. It received 95 points by Wine enthusiast. 

After 40 years of Hickinbotham family ownership, the property was purchased by the Jackson family in 2012. The pedigree of the Hickinbotham Vineyards was long established in that prior to the change of ownership, grapes from the 85-hectare vineyard were only sold to an esteemed list of winemakers including including Penfolds, Clarendon Hills and Hardys. Hickinbotham grapes were credited to legendary flagship wines like Penfolds Grange and Eileen Hardy Shiraz. Only Clarendon Hills released vineyard-designate wines bearing the “Hickinbotham” name.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4365339

https://www.hickinbothamwines.com/wines/brooks-road-shiraz

Sea Smoke Southing Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2018

Dan opened his cellar to share this wine club acquisition ultra-premium Sta Rita Hills Pinot. 

After dinner there was a dessert sundae bar with ice cream and toppings, and a broad selection of Linda M’s home baked cookies, brownies, pierogis and assorted artisan chocolates, nuts, fresh berries, melon and pineapple with yogurt. 

The dessert wine flight …

Chateau d’Yquem 2013 

Far Niente Dolce Napa Valley Late Harvest 2014

Graham’s Vintage Port 1991

Lyle brought from his cellar collection this premium Vintage Port. This is one of the last remaining bottles of the four cases he acquired of this label upon release. We’ve enjoyed tasting this wine over the last three decades as it has aged gracefully. 

At 30 plus years, the label, foil and most importantly the fill level were ideal for the age. Lyle was able to extract the cork using an ahso two pronged cork puller, necessary as the aged cork was starting to crumble and would’ve most likely disintegrated using a customary corkscrew. 

Vintage Port is only produced in ‘declared’ vintages, those of sufficient quality to warrant the designation.The 1991 vintage was the first ‘Declared Vintage’ for six years – the longest gap between declarations for decades. (The previous declared vintage, 1985 was son Sean’s birthyear, in which we acquired and still hold a broad horizontal collection of labels commemorating such.) 

At thirty-four years, this is entering another stage of its tasting profile, perhaps, some would argue, now reaching the apex, but, the last stage of its optimal tasting window.

Chateau d’Yquem 2013 

Ernie brought from his home cellar, multi-decade vertical collection, this ultra-premium classic Sauternes Chateau D’Yquem, considered a ‘first growth’ by many, always a special treat! We’ve enjoyed this label in several of our wine dinners including D'Yquem, Quintessa, Saxum Highlight OTBN 2016 - Three tastings flights.

Far Niente Dolce Napa Valley Late Harvest 2014

Linda S brought this imaginative, rare, ‘new world’ late harvest Sauternes style ‘botritized’ dessert wine, Dolce - a wonderful comparison to the classic ‘old world’ legend Chateau d’YQuem. Ironically, I pulled from our cellar and considered bringing this same label, albeit a different (older) vintage. It was great that Linda brought this for a special comparison and pairing. It also allowed me the opportunity to witness the aging of my vintage bottle (s). 

This is from ultra-premium Napa Valley producer Far Niente who boast being “America’s only winery to specialize in a single, exquisite dessert wine crafted in the cherished Sauternes style”. 

They have fun with this wine they call Dolce, which derives it’s name from “Dolce far niente", an Italian phrase that translates to "the sweetness of doing nothing".

This is a 90-10 blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the 20-acre Dolce Vineyard situated east of Napa in Coombsville at the foot of the Vaca Mountains. This was aged 30 months in 100% new French oak. 

We enjoyed this wine together with Dan and Linda, Bob and Gloria, and Bill and Beth, at our festive Pour Boys Wine Dinner at Del Ray Beach Wine Kitchen.

Photo (left) taken from that dinner. 

https://farniente.com/wineries/dolce

Thanks and kudos to Linda and Dan for hosting another festive gala dinner. 

Entourage BYOB Keenan Spring Mtn District Chardonnay

Entourage BYOB Keenan Spring Mtn District Chardonnay

Friday Happy Hour early dinner at Entourage DG (Downers Grove), we took BYOB this Napa Valley Spring Mtn District Chardonnay for pairing with our anticipated entree selection (s). 

Several times, we’ve taken two bottles, a red and a white, for pairing, depending on what we choose for our entree selections. Tonight, I took a white, confident Linda would likely order her favorite Shrimp and Grits, and, I was content with a red in any event. 

We ordered some of our standby favorites from the Special’s Small Plates offerings - Shrimp and Grits, Waygo Beef Sliders, Focaccio Fresh Bread, and Deviled Eggs. 

After dinner we had their delicious Flowerless Chocolate Cake with iced cream and fresh berries. This was wonderful with their Capuccino with double steamed milk (substitute for Expresso Latte’ not on offer). This likely adds to our new favorites menu of go-to selections for future visits.  

With our favorites Special Small Plates offerings - Shrimp and Grits, Focaccio Fresh Bread and Deviled Eggs we opened BYOB from our home cellar this full round Napa Chardonnay. . 

Keenan Spring Mtn District 2021

This is from Robert Keenan Wine Cellars high atop Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas Mountain range above St Helena. We’ve written about Keenan and our visit to their Spring Mountain District estate and their wines numerous times in these pages, some posts excerpted here - Keenan Spring Mtn Cabernet with Tenderloin Beef and Avocado, and Keenan Napa Spring Mountain Cab with Grilled Beefsteak.

Napa Valley Spring Mountain District may be our favorite of the seventeen different appellations that make up the greater Napa Valley wine producing districts. 

We tasted and acquired several vintages of Keenan wines while visiting Robert Keenan Winery on Spring Mountain as featured in this blogpost during one of our Spring Mountain District Napa Valley Wine Experiences. 

We discovered Keenan during our many visits to Napa Valley and our treks up Spring Mountain to visit Fantesca, Pride Cellars, Paloma and Spring Mountain Vineyards. 

Like those other producers, most of our collection of Keenan wines are Bordeaux varietal reds, although we also have collected and hold this Spring Mountain District Chardonnay. 

We have enjoyed collecting Keenan and having fun sharing and gifting it to a friend and former business alliance partner of the same name. 

Keenan WInery dates back to 1974, when Robert Keenan purchased 180 acres on Spring Mountain District. The property sits at an elevation of 1700 feet, located on the eastern slope of the Mayacamas Mountain range overlooking St Helena in Napa Valley. Today, fifty of those acres are planted to vineyards.

The Spring Mountain District gained recognition as an American Vineyard Appellation (AVA) in 1993.

The unique terroir of the appellation is characterized by low vigor soils on the steep, rocky, mountainsides, ideal for vineyards to produce wines of great concentration, structure, and pure varietal flavors.

The original acreage included the historic but crumbling Peter Conradi Winery, founded in the late 19th Century and one of the first pioneering properties established on Spring Mountain. 

The property vineyards were originally planted in Zinfandel and Syrah.

The property declined when it was abandoned during Prohibition until the time Keenan arrived in 1974. He extended the original vineyard acreage and replanted the property primarily in Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

A new winery was built using the existing stonewalls from the old Conradi building. Keenan Winery’s first harvest there was in 1977.

Michael Keenan took over leadership of the estate in 1998 and replanted the vineyards to increase grape quality. He built a solar power system that went on-line in 2007 that now supplies all of the estate’s energy needs.  

Notably, winemaking duties during the early years were done by legendary consulting winemaker Nils Venge. We hold many labels of Nil's own wines as well as many of the wines he crafted for Del Dotto and many other leading labels. Nils was winemaker for this 2005 as well as that 2003 Cabernet release as shown on the rear label (below). 

Today Keenan Winery produces four estate wines from grapes grown on the Spring Mountain Estate: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve, Cabernet Franc and a Merlot and Reserve from the Mailbox Vineyard. They also produce one Bordeaux Blend which they call “Mernet” for its Merlot and Cabernet varietals.

CellarMaster for this 2021 Chardonnay release was Aristeo Garcia, working with General Manager Matt Gardner. 

Winemaker’s notes for this wine. “Keenan's 2021 Chardonnay was hand harvested, de-stemmed, then gently pressed. The juice was fermented and aged in French and American oak barrels. The wine was left on the lees and the barrels were stirred weekly. No secondary, or malolactic fermentation was carried out, leading to the crisp, citrus character of this wine. The wine was bottled after approximately seven months of aging in the cellar.”

Winemaker’s tasting notes: “The finished wine shows citrus, ripe pear and green apple in the nose. Hints of lush white peach are noticed as the wine opens up. The sur-lie aging has added richness and complexity, and a touch of toasty oak returns on the finish. Like all of Keenan’s wines, this Chardonnay is a food worthy wine whose crisp acidity and medium body, will accompany a wide variety of cuisine.”

This release was rated 93 points by James Suckling and 92 points by Wine & Spirits Magazine. 

Keenan produced 2370 cases of this 100% Chardonnay, all sourced from Keenan high elevation estate vineyards. 

Golden straw colored, medium bodied, full round crisp flavors of apple, pear and hints of peach and lemon zest with chalky mineral notes and crisp acidity on the lingering finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4606194

https://www.keenanwinery.com/

 

https://twitter.com/KeenanWinery 

@KeenanWinery 

@nilsvenge

Summer wine for summer outdoor grill dinner

Summer wine for summer outdoor grill dinner

A typical summer dinner, grilling hot dogs, served with sweet corn and potato salad. We opened a crisp summertime Benessere Napa Valley Rose’ wine as a refreshing accompaniment. 

I wrote about Rose’ and it’s popularity as a summer refreshment in a recent blogpost - Château d’Aqueria Tavel Southern Côtes du Rhône Rose’.

This is from Benessere Winery in north Napa Valley, just off Hwy 29 between St Helena and Calistoga. The historic property dates back to the 1920s and 30s when it was a cattle ranch, then a dairy farm, and then was converted into a thoroughbred horse ranch in the 1960s. 

In the mid-70s, new owners took over the property and planted the estate ‘Black Glass Vineyard’, named for fragments of obsidian found on the property. Historically, the local Native American tribe used obsidian found on the property to make arrowheads and tools.

The property was purchased in 1994 by John and Ellen Benish of nearby westcrn Chicago suburb of Hinsdale.

They created their “Italy in Napa” estate and named their winery ‘Benessere’ , an Italian word meaning “well-being” or “living the good life”, because it embodied everything they fell in love with on a trip to Italy in the late 1980s. It reflects their dedication to a wine country lifestyle combining wonderful wine with warm, welcoming hospitality.

They proceeded to restore the vineyards, winery, and residence. 

We visited the winery and vineyards during our Napa Valley Wine Experience trip back in 2018 -  (https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2018/07/napa-valley-wine-experience-2018.html.) 

In line with their inspiration and love of Italy and Italian wines, they planted the vineyards with classic Italian grape varietals including Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Pinot Grigio, Primitivo, Aglianico, and Sagrantino. They also planted non-Italian varietals traditional to Napa Valley such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel. Additionally, they introduced varietals like Vermentino, Falanghina, Nero d’Avola, and Teroldego,

They produced their first vintage in 1995, a Sangiovese varietal wine. Since that inaugural vintage, they have continually added other Italian varietals to their portfolio – Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Falanghina, Teroldego, Nero d’Avola, Primitivo, Montepulciano, Sagrantino and Aglianico. 

They also produce a “Super Tuscan” style blend called ‘Phenomenon’ as well as two American grape varietal Zinfandels – one from their ‘Black Glass Vineyard’, the other from the historic 100 year old ‘Collins Holystone Vineyard’ adjacent to the estate.

Benessere Napa Valley St Helena Aglianico Rosato di Aglianico 2023

This is composed of 100% Aglianico sourced from the Benessere Estate Vineyard in St. Helena

Winemaker’s Notes - “Vintners the valley over are raising a glass to the 2023 vintage as one of the best ever for both reds and whites. Winemakers believe that the abundance of rainfall and a lengthy growing season contributed to some truly incredible fruit being produced. Cheers and glasses clinking were heard earlier this season for the 2023 harvest, back when only a select few knew just how amazing it was going to be.”

“The strategy of creating our Aglianico Rosato is planning a 2–3-week early harvest for these grapes. This timing captures the vibrancy and liveliness that encapsulates our Rosato. Gentle pressing draws out the lovely juice that is the keystone of this wine. The fermentation is gradual, done at cool temperatures to ensure the wine's brilliant aromatics remain intact.”

Tasting notes - “Its austere and refreshingly dry profile, from the delicate aromas of nectarines, peaches, bubblegum, raspberries, and seashell to the vibrant acidity and explosive palate bursting with tart cherry and strawberry. the lingering presence of noticeable tannins—a rare characteristic in Rosato wines.” - Matt Reid, Winemaker

RM 90 points. 

2023 Aglianico Rosato

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?5063903

https://www.benesserevineyards.com/

https://x.com/BenessereVyds

@BenessereVyds

Gala Independence Day Celebration

Gala Independence Day Celebration Family and Friends Gathering, great food and wine 

Son Ryan and Michelle hosted what is becoming a tradition, a gala gathering of family, friends and neighbors Independence Day celebration. The afternoon and evening included a giant water slide, bounce house, cornhole and other outdoor yard games, and outdoor patio movies. 

Dinner included fabulous catered BBQ, brisket, pulled pork, chicken, baked beans, potato salad and more, followed by a vast selection of desserts.

A wide selection of beverages included several flights of wines.

The festivities were capped by an awesome neighborhood fireworks display. 

Flight of white wines, rose’ and sparkling wines … 

White wine flight …

Hofgut Falkenstein Krettnacher Euchariusberg Mosel-Ruer-Saar Riesling Spatlese 2016

Cliff Lede Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Greywacke New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Long Shadows Washington State Columbia Valley Julia’s Dazzle Pinot Gris Rose 2024 

Château d’Aqueria Tavel Southern Côtes du Rhône Rose’ 2024

Domaine de Triennes Vin de Pays de Mediterranee, Provence Rosé 2021 

(Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault Blend)

Mont Marcel Cava Brut Reserva 2021

Multiple flights of red wines … 

Fantesca All Great Things “Freedom” Napa Valley Red Wine 2015

Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

FEL Anderson Valley Wendling Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

Turley Paso Robles Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel 2017 

And a broad selection of customary and craft beers and assorted beverages. 

God Bless the USA! 

Château d’Aqueria Tavel Southern Côtes du Rhône Rose’

Château d’Aqueria Tavel Southern Côtes du Rhône Rose’ - A taste of Provence 

My favorite author and favorite reads are the “Provence” series by Peter Mayle, made famous when his first book classic, “A Year in Provence” was made into a PBS special series … ala Downton Abbey or thereabouts…  

I’ve read a dozen of his works over the years and would periodically search for new releases. I was deeply saddened when I learned while visiting the Barnes & Noble near our vacation rental in Destin, FL, that he had passed away. My sadness was offset a bit to learn of two new releases that somehow I missed over the years. So it is that I just finished reading “My Twenty-Five Years in Provence : Reflections on Then and Now”, a retrospective encapsulation of his Provence experience. 

And, “The Diamond Caper”, one of his “Caper” series of mystery crime dramas, still set in Provence and filled with all the lifestyle elements of food, wine, and relaxed leisurely living. 

This is about a French Riviera socialite's diamonds being stolen -- the latest in a string of seemingly unconnected but increasingly audacious jewelry heists across France. Peter Mayle's Sam Levitt, and his partner, Elena Morales, are thrust into a case of intriguing "perfect crimes”. 

All the while, they’re immersed in relocating to Southern France, and renovating a cottage into their new dream home - a replay of the theme of “A Year in Provence”, with all the hallmarks of a delightful sun-splashed Peter Mayle adventure.

Peter Mayle was born in Brighton, England on June 14, 1939. He began his career in advertising as a copywriter and rose to the executive ranks, but left advertising in 1975 to write educational books. He then wrote his travel memoir, A Year in Provence, which then received the British Book Awards' Best Travel Book of the Year in 1990, and was adapted into a television mini-series. 

He went on to write a series of nonfiction books, all in his classic whimsical style, showcasing French life, food and wine, centered in Provence. His books included Toujours Provence, Encore Provence, Provence A-Z, and French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork and Corkscrew. His fiction books included The Marseille Caper, The Corsican Caper, and A Good Year, which was adapted into a 2006 film of the same name starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard. 

Mayle died on January 18, 2018 at the age of 78.
 

I was caught up in my own career and lost track of Mayle and his late career releases, until I have recently finally decompressed and started enjoying retirement, and re-engaging in picking up where I left off in light pleasurable reading. 

Just as “A Year in Provence” pays tribute to celebrate the aspects life in Southern France, wherein he plays out his favorite villages, restaurants, and open-air markets; and recounts his most memorable meals, …. 

Twenty-five years later, he replays and encapsulates Provencal living in what fittingly was his final book,  “My Twenty-Five Years in Provence“, a tribute to his adopted home, expressed through his signature warmth, wit, and humor.

This all brings me to this blogpost, and a classical Provençal summer wine - a Rose’, the signature drink of Provence, which was precipitated by reading about the passion and predominance of this wine in the lifestyle of Provençal lifestyle and living! 

This is also in recognition of our friend, Phillipe, who happens to be visiting this week from Aix-en-Provence. It’s fitting that we indulge in Provençal wines, native to the region we love, and home to our visiting friend, and many great memories of the region. 

I served and featured another Rose’ wine and wrote about Provence and our visit there in this recent blogpost - BYOB Fine Wines and Live Jazz at Suzette’s Creperie Wheaton.

This Château d’Aqueria wine is from the village of Tavel, in the Southern Rhône River valley and wine region. Tavel sits just 20 minutes, ten miles, west, across the river, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the wines that make up a large holding in our cellar, and wine region we’ve fondly visited over the years, both found throughout these pages.

A few examples of posts from our visits to the region: 

Four days in Provence - Aix - Meyrargues 

La Presqu'Ile Restaurant à Bédarrides Vaucluse France 

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Châteauneuf-du-Pape 

A visit to Château La Nerthe

Château d’Aqueria Tavel Southern Côtes du Rhône Rose’ 2024

This classic southern jewel is from the well known producer Marcel and Philippe Guigal. The historic estate, Château d’Aqueria actually sits between Tavel and Lirac, two appellations representing two growths of three colours produced at the domain.

Tavel was the first rosé in France to be classified, designated In 1936 when the first Appellations of Controlled Origin were established. Since then, it has become an iconic gastronomic rosé and today it is THE rosé of ‘terroir’.

The adjacent Lirac appellation lies on the right bank of the Rhône and is another jewel of the Southern Côtes du Rhône and has also been producing hugely expressive wines since ancient times.

The estate dates all the way back to 1595, when Louis Joseph d’Aqueria purchased an area in Tavel called ‘Puy Sablonneux’ from the monks of the Abbey of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, which was particularly suited to the cultivation of vines. His son Robert d’Aqueria, a hereditary Count palatine, built a home which, in the 18th century, became the Château as we know it today. After the Count d’Aqueria, the estate pass through several families who took possession of the Château modifying it and constructing buildings as well as developing its vineyards. 

In 1919, the estate was purchased by a doctor of law, Jean Olivier, who eventually passed it on to his daughters, Mireille de Bez and Nicole Boccon-Gibod. His son in law, Paul de Bez took over management followed by his grandsons Vincent and Bruno - three generations put this historically significant place on the map as a stand out property of the Tavel and Lirac appellations.

In May 2022, the well known Guigal family took over the reins from the de Bez family to become next in line of owners of the Aqueria estate who continue to preserve the history and the legacy of the people of Aqueria.

The Château’s 250 acres are planted two thirds to vineyards in the Tavel and Lirac appellations with the remainder preserved in woodland and garrique.

Château d’Aqueria Tavel is made mainly from Grenache, Syrah, Clairette and Mourvèdre, with Cinsault and Bourboulenc completing this harmonious blend of varieties.

The Lirac red wines are dominated by Grenache bolstered up by Syrah and Mourvèdre with a touch of Cinsault.

The light sandy, clay soils situated around the Château, and the Mediterranean climate produce extraordinary complex robust yet elegant full flavored wines.

The vines are an average age of 40 years old with some 70 year old plots.

The wines are aged 6 months in inox and concrete vats.

This was a fabulous pairing with a flight of artisan cheeses - Brie, Landmark Creamery, Belleville, Wisconsin Gouda Duet - pasteurized cow and sheep milk cheese, and Grand Cru from Roth Cheese, from Monroe, WI, with fresh sourdough bread. 

. 

This release is a blend of the classic designated Rhône grape varieties - 50% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Clairette, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Bourboulenc, 5% Cinsault. 

Intense blood orange ruby coloured, medium bodied, dry, firm structured, bold, full and round, complex yet elegant, bright vibrant raspberry, cherry, strawberry and pomegranate fruits with a layer of spice notes on a long acidic expressive finish. 

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?5336525

https://www.aqueria.com/en/

https://www.aqueria.com/en/vins/tavel/