Your September 2023 Club Wines
Fontaleoni, Vernaccia di San Ginignano
About the Producer
Fontaleoni is a small estate whose vineyards are located at 200 meters above sea level, the ideal altitude for growing the Vernaccia varietal. Low yields of grapes, careful harvest and pressing of this fragile grape, along with conscientious winemaking, have produced Vernaccia wines that continue to grow in quality and fame. Fontaleoni’s Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a lively dry white wine!
About the Wine
Vernaccia di San Gimignano was the first wine in Italy to be awarded the DOC status in 1966, which was then upgraded to DOCG in 1993. It’s made from 100% hand-harvested Vernaccia from 35+ year old vines. Softly pressed then fermented in stainless steel tanks at temperatures under 20°C. Bottle aged at least 3 months. Only 5000 cases produced.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow color, floral and citrus aromas with some tropical undertones reminiscent of mango. It’s quite crisp and refreshing on the palate with good but not searing acidity and typically quite full bodied. It’s definitely not one of those light, pretty feminine wines that quench your thirst and are instantly forgettable; this can be a very good table wine and a good match for many types of food but it’s not a sin to drink it by itself either.
Serve around 60º with fish, grilled vegetables, hearty summer soups.
Hope Family, Quest Proprietary Red Blend
Quest is a new wine that aims to express the increasingly recognized potential and excitement of Paso Robles. It is a Cabernet-based blend that showcases the luscious softness and depth produced in our mountainous, oak-studded, maritime-influenced home. Cabernet thrives in Paso’s semi-arid, rocky soils, and this wine is fruit-forward, with a toasty vanilla finish and grippy tannins. Quest has been aged in American oak barrels, yet displays an inherent softness. It reflects the region’s richly diverse terrain, where hidden pockets of exceptional vineyards account for its unique character
About the Wine
The Cabernet & Cabernet Franc are harvested and fermented individually by vineyard lots and then aged in used American oak barrels. The lots were racked twice during barrel aging, blended together and put into 65% New American oak barrels for an additional 3 months. Just prior to bottling the wine is filtered. The 2021 Quest Red Wine was aged for a total of 11 months in oak, blended in summer of 2022 and bottled in late September of 2022.
Tasting Notes
This blend displays a beautiful herbaceous nose of anise seed, warm chocolate, and fresh mint. On the palette flavors of black fruit, dark chocolate, and slightly earthy nuance of leather are present. On the finish, soft fine tannins leave a light coat on the palette and mingle with a delicate touch of acidity that balance the wine allowing the flavors to linger.
Serve around 65º with charcuterie, braised meats, grilled meats & veggies, or just drink it by itself. 😉
Altamente, Monastrell
About the Producer
This project from Fernando Barrena (of Azul y Garanza) and his wife, Marian, is located in the northernmost part of the DO Jumilla in the high Hoya Torres Valley with shallow, calcareous soil in arid conditions. The majority of the vines are Pie Franco (on their own rootstock) and farmed 100% organically.
Jumilla is located in southeastern Spain on the Mediterranean coast in the province of Murcia; it is the oldest DO in the region, established in 1966. Climate here is hot, dry and harsh. Sandy soils with high pH, low salinity and little to no organic material, make the area naturally resistant to disease; in fact, Jumilla was spared during the phylloxera outbreak of the 19th century. Though the region was infected in 1989, many Pie Franco vines still exist in Jumilla today.
About the Wine
100% Monastrell from certified organic vineyards at 900 meters altitude, most of which are own
rooted in shallow, sandy/stony soils with very little rain. Harvested by hand. Native yeast fermentation with all vinification and elevage done in tank.
Tasting Notes
Complex aromas of red berries and cherries with subtle floral notes. The palate is smooth with ripe black raspberry and cherry compote flavors that while deep and somewhat brooding, are lifted by tangy acidity with a pop of spice and pepper.
Serve around 65º with manchego cheese and cured ham, spicy sausages, grilled meats, and hearty veggies.