There is a natural tendency for wine writers and reviewers to constantly be asking, “What’s new?”. That’s not a bad thing, as it gives hardworking newcomers with new ideas a chance to show the results of their labors.
At the same time, it brings a smile to the face to see a bottle with a name on the label you’ve long recognized, perhaps having even interviewed the owners or winemakers on multiple occasions. We feature two such venerable producers in this issue – the Frescobaldis of Tuscany who have been making wine since 1308, and the Torres family from Spain with ventures in South America. Although they haven’t been making wine quite as long, starting only five generations ago in 1870, the Torres family has been growing grapes since the 1500s.
Also, don’t overlook a couple of white spirits that snuck in at the end of The Dozen.
2022 Carpineto “Dogajolo” Toscana Bianco ($9) – Nice, spicy gold and green flavors of ripe yellow apples with a hint of honey.
NV Miguel Torres “Estelado” Maule Valley Pais Sparkling Rosé ($19) – From Pais, the historic grape variety brought to the New World by missionaries – creamy strawberry flavors, good acidity and some metallic minerality.
2022 Peyrassol “Les Commandeurs” Côtes de Provence Rosé ($25) – Light lime and red berry flavors, crisp, with some light tannins.
2022 Peyrassol “Chateau Peyrassol” Côtes de Provence Rosé ($31) – Fresh, very light flavors (all three Peyrassols are somewhat delicate and/or elegant), with good structure and a crisp finish.
2022 Peyrassol “Le Clos” Côtes de Provence Rosé ($53) – “Eye of the partridge”, light color with flavors of muddled strawberries, with some pastry, bready notes – good to sip or to enjoy with food.
2022 Carpineto “Dogajolo” Toscana Rosso ($15) – From Sangiovese with some Cabernet Sauvignon, it has blueberry and blackberry fruitiness, light tannins and good acidity.
2020 Miguel Torres “Cordillera de los Andes” Peumo Carmenère Reserva Especial ($19) – A big, creamy, smooth red with intense dark fruits – cherries, cassis, blackberry. Think plummy Merlot for a comparison.
2019 Frescobaldi “Castiglioni” Chianti ($20) – Tart fresh berry flavors, good structure, fairly smooth tannins.
2020 Frescobaldi “Nipozzano” Chianti Rufina Riserva ($20) – Raspy, more savory than fruity with nice barrel notes.
2019 Frescobaldi “Perano Rialzi” Chianti Classico Gran Selezione ($50) – A very good GS for the price, it is rich in flavors of both mellow and vibrant blueberries and cassis with a very good structure.
Ocean Organic Vodka ($30/750 ml) – More than any other spirit, unflavored vodkas tend to taste alike. This one is very pleasant with soft creamy texture. And it is organic, comes from Hawaii, and is bottled in a very cute, round, blue-tinted decanter that sits at an angle.
Château Hourtin-Ducasse “Noggin” Gin ($99/50 ml) – A gin from Bordeaux that has less juniper and other botanical flavors than soft grape-y goodness. Very nice sipping, but drop in an olive for a touch of tang.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
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