The Heritage Club - February 2020
It’s February, and it’s 65° some days, and snowing others. How in the heck are you supposed to know what to drink during ”Fool’s Spring” but before “Second Winter”? Is it time to bust out the rosé? Are reds still acceptable? Whites after Labor Day? Fear not, we’ve got you covered.
Cristia Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2018
Region: France, Côtes du Rhône
Grape Varietal(s): 50% Viognier, 20% Grenache Blanc, 15% Clairette, 15% Roussanne
Viticulture: 30 year old vines planted in clay rich sand
Method: Stainless steel fermentation before 12 months resting in concrete vats
Age: Drink now through 2022
Tasting Notes: White flowers, honeysuckle, and lemon zest dominate the aroma. On the palette, the medium body is complemented by tropical fruits, and finishes with a lengthy minerality.
About Domaine de Cristia
Third generation winemakers Baptiste and Dominique Grangeon care for the Cristia estate, which showcases 70 years of tradition in the Côtes du Rhône. While once only having 2 hectares of Grenache, Cristia is now home to several additional Rhône varietals such as Syrah and Mourvèdre. Baptiste focuses on the unique sandy/clay terroir to highlight some of the best vineyard sites within Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They keep vineyard management as natural as possible, refraining completely from chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. In 2008, the estate received official certification declaring them an organic producer, paving the way for natural wine movement in the Côtes du Rhône.
About Côtes du Rhône Blanc
This Viognier driven white blend separates itself from the pack of whites by providing intense aromatics and a waxy body to accompany its minerality. White wines from the Rhone are great for those looking to explore beyond the realm of Chardonnay without oak, as they still retain a familiar lushness. Marsanne adds further texture and Roussanne packs another dollop of floral aromas and acidity. Although the Rhône is traditionally hotter than most white wine growing regions, these varietals hold their own in this warmer climate.
Why I’m excited about this wine
For those that remember my November Heritage Club blog post, a recollection of the adoration for Bibi Graetz’s wildly aromatic Cassamata Bianco comes to mind. Perceiving so much taste through the olfactory senses makes wines that perplex and engage the schnoz some of the most fun! Furthermore, I encourage wine lovers to branch into Côtes du Rhône Blanc to further open their horizons beyond traditional whites. All of the lovely ripened fruit is present, with added complexity and minerality to keep it lively on the palette. Côtes du Rhône Blancs are a unique way to sample warm climate whites from Old World growing regions.
Quinta do Crasto Red 2017
Region: Portugal, Douro
Grape Varietal(s): 35% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Franca, and 10% Tinta Barroca
Viticulture: Terraced vineyards on steep elevation planted in granitic soils
Method: Full fermentation in stainless steel, followed by 15% aging in French barriques
Age: Drink now through 2025
Tasting notes: Wild violets, ripe purple plum, and blueberry with mocha, kola, and mint. Full bodied with fine, integrated tannins.
About Quinta do Crasto
Within the walled confines of the estate in Northern Portugal, the vines of Quinta do Castro are tied back as far as 1615. Named from the Latin word for Roman fort, castrum, the estate quickly earned its right as Feitoria status, which was the highest vineyard classification honor at the time. In 1981, Leonor and Jorge Roquette took majority stake in the winery, with the vision of producing high quality wines from the Douro region. Since then, the Roquettes craft not only red and white wines, but also Port and olive oil from estate grown olives.
About Crasto Red
This introduction to the Quinta do Crasto family of wines presents an approachable entry to the finest from the Douro. The early warm and dry winter of 2017 made for especially stressed and tight grape bunches, resulting in highly concentrated fruit flavors and tannin. Touriga Nacional packs a punch of rich and dark fruit flavors and tannin, while Tinta Roriz balances with red fruits. Touriga Franca is lighter bodied, providing floral aromatics, while Tinta Barroca adds additional red fruits, elevated sugar, and tannin. During warmer, drier years, Tinta Barroca can shrivel on the vines and lead to loss of yield. Note it’s fairly small makeup of the finished wine blend.
Why I’m excited about this wine
While I love juicy Cabernet and swoon for Merlot, I just don’t find myself cracking open such bottles all the time. While I wish it were the case, I spend my time searching for similar attributes in wines that hit a little closer to the lighter side of the pocket book. Enter Douro red blends: warm climate, steeped in history, ripe and lush flavors… do you see the pattern here? The best part: awesome bottles for $8-$20 with killer bottles from $30-$50. To me it’s a no brainer, the math just checks out!