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DeWayne's Picks


2022 CHATEAU DE COURTEILLAC BORDEAUX  FRANCE

Tasting Notes: Domaine de Courteillac is a fairly young estate. The estate was originally founded by Henri de Foussat de Bogeron. Domaine de Courteillac was purchased in 1998 by the well-known Bordeaux wine merchant, Dominique Meneret who is a partner in the negociant company, Bernard and Meneret. In late, 2016, it was announced that the large, Chinese wine and spirits retailer, Daohe Wine and Spirits, purchased Domaine de Courteillac from Dominique Menert for an undisclosed sum of money. The entire technical team will remain in place with the property. Domaine de Courteillac owns 27 hectares of vineyard planted to 63% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc. Over the past few years, the amount of Cabernet Franc in the vines has slowly been increasing. 2 hectares of vines are reserved for the cultivation of white Bordeaux wine grapes. On average, the vines are maintained at about 15 years of age. The terroir of Domaine de Courteillac is clay and limestone soils. Domaine de Courteillac is situated southeast of St. Emilion, close to the Dordogne river. The vineyard enjoys one of the highest elevations in the Entre Deux Mers appellation. The wines are aged in 33% new, French oak barrels for between 14 and 16 months. Close to 12,000 cases per year are produced of Domaine de Courteillac. Domaine de Courteillac is better with at least 1-2 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 1 hour, helping the wine soften to help develop the aromatic character. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Domaine de Courteillac offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-6 years of age after the vintage. Domaine de Courteillac is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Domaine de Courteillac is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Domaine de Courteillac is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms, and pasta.

Price: $17.49

 

DeWayne's Picks


VEUVE CLICQUOT BRUT  FRANCE

Tasting Notes: Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is the signature champagne of the House. Dominated by Pinot Noir, it offers the perfect balance of structure and finesse. Golden-yellow in color, with a foaming necklace of tiny bubbles. It is pleasing to the nose; initially reminiscent of yellow and white fruits, then of vanilla and later brioche. Note the fine balance between the fruity aromas coming from the grape varieties and the toasty notes, the result of the three years of bottle aging. The first sip delivers all the freshness and strength so typical of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label with a symphony of fruit following (pear, lemon). Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin was born in 1777, the daughter of a textile manufacturer in Reims, Champagne. Widowed at the age of only 27, she took control of her own destiny and became one of the first modern entrepreneurs. In an era when women were excluded from the business world, she dared to assume the head of the company founded by her father-in-law in 1772, a role she undertook with passion and determination. Her creativity and lust for innovation led to many firsts in Champagne: the first known vintage champagne; the invention of the riddling table; the first known blended rosé champagne. Three inventions that revolutionised champagne making and were widely adopted by producers, becoming the basis of modern champagne production. Madame Clicquot made her name into a brand of excellence and had it shine the world over. Her formidable contributions earned her the nickname of "la grande dame of Champagne". Blend: 55% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay

Price: $84.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


CASA EDI MIRAFIORE BARBERA D'ALBA SUPERIORE 2020  Italy

Tasting Notes: For a wine to be legally labeled as Barbera d'Alba, it must be made from at least 85 percent Barbera grapes. The other 15 percent may be made up of Piedmont's noblest wine grape, Nebbiolo, but intensely perfumed Dolcetto is not permitted for use. There is a distinct difference between Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d’Asti – its counterpart from the neighboring Asti province, which is generally considered more lively and perfumed. While young Barbera d'Alba is perfect for enjoying within the first few years after bottling, Superiore or barrel-aged versions can benefit from aging up to 10 years. This aging period will develop greater depth and complexity in flavors and aromas. Barbera d'Alba wines are generally esteemed for their deep color, low tannins and high levels of acidity. When young they offer fresh flavors of cherries, blueberries and raspberries. Relatively rich, bold and flavorful, the most powerful examples might just be compared to Barolo or Barbaresco.

Price: $31.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


2021 CASA CATELLI PINOT GRIGIO  Italy

Tasting Notes: Organic Wine: It has a straw yellow color. On the nose it has floral notes with hint of dry hay and fresh lemon. On the palate it has a soft citrus flavor with hints of crusty bread and acacia honey. Indeed, well balanced and pleasant to drink with and without food. Varietal: Pinot Grigio 100%. Wine-making: The grapes are carefully selected and immediately go through a soft pressing. The must is left to rest for about 2 days then the alcoholic fermentation will start in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 16-18° C ( 61-64°F). The wine is micro filtered and left for one month in the tanks, then bottled. Aging: One month in the tanks, two months in the bottle. Food Pairing: It pairs well with any type of fish, including sushi, light cheese like mozzarella or parmigiano reggiano and marinated chicken. Serving temperature: 10°- 12°C (50-54°F) This is the perfect Christmas party white wine to enjoy all evening. ABV: 12%

Price: $15.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


2022 TWO HANDS ANGEL'S SHARE  AUSTRALIA

Tasting Notes: The idea for Two Hands was born in September 1999 when founders Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz sat at a friend’s engagement party. The 2022 Angel's Share Shiraz is saturated with black cherry, raspberry, licorice. In the mouth, it is all of this: silky and spicy and concentrated but not heavy. The rich and powerful fruits burst out of the gate, setting up the palate. This initial burst creates a wave of juice and long fruits which are slowly reined in by the broad tannins. This wine is a little bit too easy to drink, it announces itself and then gives you a whole hearted effort, the creaminess of the fruit holds the succulent mouthfeel and the tannins have a lovely brightness to the effortless finish. This is a wine that will offer loads of immediate pleasure and will also age for the moderate term under optimal cellaring conditions. Nicely done.

Price: $33.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


DELIRIUM TREMENS (ALE) (750ml)  BELGIUM

Tasting Notes: Huyghe Brewery produces Delirium Tremens in Melle, Belgium. Delirium Tremens is a medical term that refers to severe symptoms alcoholics can experience during withdrawal such as tremors, confusion, and hallucinations. The beer’s name (and pink elephant logo) is an allusion to these symptoms. ABV: 8.5% According to legend, in an attempt to give the brand new, nameless brew a proper moniker, a Belgian tax collector felt himself gradually slipping into a state of unexpected drunkenness and declared that he would get delirium tremens if he continued drinking the brew. The name stuck. Delirium Tremens recently won Gold at the Frankfurt International Trophy competition in 2021 and captured Gold at the 2020 World Beer Awards held in the United Kingdom. The brewery’s other beers have also won multiple awards. Made using three different types of yeast, aromas include citrus, pear, banana and honey with a big hit of spice and bread. Taste follows the nose with lemon, pear and apricot, coriander, candy sugar, clove and white pepper.

Price: $15.99

 

DeWayne's Picks


RODNEY STRONG 2019 CHARDONNAY  UNITED STATES

Tasting Notes: In 1965, founder, Rod Strong, was the first to plant Chardonnay in what would later be recognized as the Chalk Hill American Viticultural Area (AVA),established officially in 1983. He recognized the region as distinct from the rest of Russian River Valley, California for its unique volcanically derived, chalky white ash soils, which impart a subtle mineral character to wines grown there. Lemon pie and custard aromas mix with exotic quince and layers of creamy oak in their 2019 Chalk Hill Chardonnay. Bright green apple and a citrusy lemon kick balance out the smooth oak tones. The creamy mouthfeel leads to a bright finish of grapefruit zest and hints of tart apple. Enjoy this now with soft cheeses or simply with good company.

Price: $26.99

 

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