Category Archives: Wine

La Garagista Wine | Vermont Rouge | Loups Garoux

September 30, 2016 Jason | Kraken

We are delighted to announce the delivery and release of La garagista Loups~Garoux vin.

If you have yet to dive into the delicious world of esoteric wines La garagista hand crafts, now is your chance. Deirdre and Caleb are winning hearts and palates over around the world with the small batch wines made in Barnard, VT.

Enjoy the vin whilst you are able in addition to pictures from a trip I made to ‘le garage’ earlier this year! – Jason, Wine & Beer Mgr.

~ ~ ~

We are delighted to announce the delivery and release of La garagista Loups~Garoux vin.

La garagista Loups~Garoux Vermont Rouge
2015 | 12% ABV | $33.99

*** Because of the limited availability of this wine, it is limited to 1 bottle per person, per day ***

From the bottle:

La garagista: n. one who makes wine in a garage; one who works in a garage; one who uses all parts of a garage.

Loups~Garoux

Vermont Rouge = Red Wine

Loups~Garoux is the French name for mythical wolf creatures that are not cursed, but blessed. One is born a Loup-Garou and can turn at will. They are elegant, dark wolves to behold and remind us of other mythical creatures like those in the legends of the Black Wolves of the Chateauguay, the wild alpine terrain that defines our homefarm and vineyard landscapes. Loups~Garoux speak of the woodland and are mercurial in nature. Hand-harvested and unfiltered, this red wine hails from our alpine vineyard in Vermont on the edge of a lake, grown among wild purple aster and white fleabane.

– Deirdre Heekin & Caleb Barber

Questo vino e vivo! ~ This wine is alive!

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Chateau de Brondeau | Bordeaux Supérieur 2012

September 7, 2016 Jason | Kraken

Chateau de Brondeau – Bordeaux Supérieur 2012 | Vin extraordinaire for $19.99

For more than a century, Château de Brondeau belonged to the Audy family, and Marie-Claude Audy, wife of Bordeaux wine merchant Dominique Méneret, inherited the estate in 2001. In 2011, the property was sold to Mr. Francis Vuile, a former AOC Cognac producer. Sitting on the banks of the Dordogne River, the estate is nestled in a jewel box of groves that seem to watch over the 32 acres (13 hectares) of vines.

The vineyard is in close proximity to the production facilities and the home. The site is densely planted – 2,400 vines/acre, or 6,000 vines/ha – on alluvial soils, with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is trained traditionally with selective grassing over to retain the richness of the terroir.

Winemaking Philosophy:

The grapes are sorted before transfer into cement vats adapted to the size of individual vineyard parcels, all equipped with an effective temperature control system. During fermentation, the cellar master performs several small daily pump-overs, and macerations do not exceed 20 days. When the wine is run off, multiple tastings enable the isolation of several separate lots. The wine is aged for approximately 15 months in vat using French oak staves. This preserves the freshness of its fruit and does not allow wood notes to overpower the wine. Blending takes place several months before bottling, which generally happens more or less in early spring, depending on the vintage, after fining and a light filtering.

Wine Description:

Château de Brondeau hugs the Dordogne river, nestled in a jewel box of groves overlooking 22 rolling acres of estate vineyards. The Château de Brondeau Bordeaux displays consistent quality year after year; a wine that offers characteristic freshness, silkiness and balance. Manually harvested and fermented in cement tanks, this Bordeaux requires 12 months of aging before bottling. The wonderful presentation and attractive price make this an excellent value for any lover of Bordeaux.

Tasting Notes:

Deep ruby in color, the Château de Brondeau Bordeaux is clear and fresh with a dense, expressive nose. Round and fleshy on the palate with flavors of fresh red fruit and chocolate, it offers excellent balance with a long, lasting finish.

Analytical Data:

Vineyard name: Château de Brondeau
Vineyard size: 23 acres
Soil composition: Clay, Silt, Sand, and Gravel
Elevation: 8 feet
Vines/acre: 2,400
Yield/acre: 0.2 tons
Harvest time: Early October
Bottles produced of this wine: 48,000
Varietal composition: 100% Merlot
Fermentation container: concrete
Maceration technique: Pumpovers
Length of maceration: 21 days days
Malolactic fermentation: Yes
Type of aging container: Cement vats
Length of aging before bottling: 12 months
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Residual sugar: 0.4 g/L
Acidity: 3.5 g/L
Dry extract: 19.0 g/L

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Forlorn Hope | Natural Wine

September 1, 2016 Jason | Kraken

We are delighted to introduce a new line of natural wine to the VT marketplace – Forlorn Hope.

Forlorn Hope is a great addition to our ever expanding natural wine selection.

We will begin diving in and reviewing these fantastic, responsibly crafted wines during September, here is a teaser about the wines from: forlornhopewines.com

All Forlorn Hope wines are produced from winegrapes. That’s it.

We believe very strongly that site and farming produce all that we should like to find in a bottle of wine, and we don’t want to confuse or muddy the story that each wine can relate by adding water or yeast or acid or enzymes that had nothing at all to do with what the vines put into each of our clusters.

Each of the Forlorn Hope wines may be put through very different fermentations en route to becoming one of our Rare Creatures — Sèmillon is destemmed and pressed, then fermented in old and neutral barrels; Gewürztraminer is destemmed and fermented on the skins; Alvarelhão is fermented whole-cluster with no destemming or initial breaking of the fruit — but throughout it all a common vein runs through the thought process in the cellar: listen to what the fermentation is saying as it transforms from fruit into wine. What does it want to become? In what direction does its nature want to lead it? In this manner we guide our ferments along, receiving suggestions and guidance from the wine and fermentative microbes themselves.

No new barrels are ever used in the Forlorn Hope cellar. Currently, our oldest 60 gallon vessels are from the 1997 vintage.

At Matthew Rorick Wines, we love the longshots. We love the outsiders, the lost causes, the people/projects/ideas abandoned as not having a chance in the world. We love the longshots because we’re all about tenacity, we relish a challenge, and – we admit it – we love us a good tussle.

Hans Brinker, the Dutch boy who stuck his finger in the dike? We’re big fans of his. Penelope – weaving all day and ripping it out all night? She’s with us. Henry V’s speech at the Battle of Agincourt? Pretty much our theme song.

Taken from the Dutch ‘verloren hoop’, meaning ‘lost troop’, Forlorn Hope was the name given to the band of soldiers who volunteered to lead the charge directly into enemy defenses. The chance of success for the Forlorn Hope was always slim, but the glory and rewards granted to survivors ensured no shortage of applicants.

These bottles, the first produced by Matthew Rorick Wines, were our headlong rush into the breach. Rare creatures from appellations unknown and varieties uncommon, these wines are our brave advance party, our pride and joy – our Forlorn Hope.

Uncategorized, Wine

Domaine Rethore Davy Pinot Gris | Le Chapitre 2015

July 29, 2016 Jason | Kraken

Domaine Rethore Davy Pinot Gris – Le Chapitre 2015

Pinot Gris is an excellent wine varietal that enjoys a steady increase in popularity as more people are introduced to what this versatile grape can do. Referred to in Italy as Pinot Grigio, and domestically labeled as such by some of the larger international wine companies regardless of origin, Pinot Gris has been winning over palates with it’s versatility and affordability. From bright, young, and refreshing to sweet and viscous dessert wine, an array of wine styles can be made from Pinot Gris.

Our most popular French Pinot Gris right now is the 2015 le Chapitre from Rethore Davy(Loire Valley). at only $12.99 a bottle, this Pinot Gris is an outstanding value, we encourage you to try it the next time you reach for a Pinot Grigio, but want something different but slightly familiar!

Tasting / Paring Notes: Crisp, bright, and lively but not overly acidic. Light lemon and hint of pink grapefruit flesh flavors. More mid-palate roundess on this French Pinot Gris than probably most Italian Pinot Grigio you’ve had. Clean finish that is just long enough – doesn’t instantly dissipate but doesn’t linger. Pairs well with grilled lemon chicken / swordfish, light pasta dishes, steamed mussels… awesome with ceviche and grilled octopus!

– Jason

Industry Info:

Producer: Domaine Rethore
Country: France
Region: Loire
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vintage: 2015
$12.99

Domaine Rethore Davy –

This is a family story, that of two brothers Martine and Christopher RETHORE, and their cousin Jean-Michel DAVY , united by a passion for wine, they decided to join forces to put their superb terroir and their “know-how” in the production of wine. Planted in 2004 on only 3.5 acres in the growing region of St-Remy en Mauge.

2014 Le Chapitre Pinot Gris – 100% Pinot Gris – this small production is all hand harvested and sustainable with no malolactic fermentation, fine and filtered for clarity. 6 months bottle aging. Crisp, fresh and mouthwatering. Gently spiced flavors of ripe pear, white peach and lychee with a touch of lemon and ginger. Pleasantly intense aromas and nicely balanced with floral overtones and a generous lingering freshness. 3500 cases

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Mas Carlot | Les Enfants Terribles | 2012 | Nimes

July 23, 2016 Jason | Kraken

Mas Carlot | Les Enfants Terribles | 2012 | $16.99

I don’t shy away from big, luscious wines during the summer, I enjoy full bodied wines all year. The Mas Carlot 2012 is becoming one of my ‘go-to’ wines because of it’s superb lushness for under $20.

I usually drink this satisfying wine from Nîmes (southern France) after a long day at work when I’m craving an affordable luxury. A wine that can span a meal from a main dish such as slow roasted lamb or duck with raspberry sauce, to desserts like chocolate cake.

Mas Carlot is on the heavier side of a medium to medium heavy bodied wine but not flabby or overly sweet at the end which makes it great by itself or with a dessert. It has structure and softness at the same time so It doesn’t ‘need’ anything but plays well with food.

– Jason

From domaineselect.com:

About:

Under the Provençal sun, Mas Carlot is a beautiful oasis of rustic charm. Its foundations date back to the 17th century, with extensive renovations made in the 19th century, yet the presence of ancient Roman ruins suggests that this land was also being farmed at least 2000 years ago. Paul-Antoine Blanc, owner of Paris’ famous Le Pied de Cochon restaurant in Les Halles, first fell in love with the property in 1986. Paul sold the restaurant and moved here to Bellegarde, tending to the renovations of the winery and cellars. His daughter, Nathalie, followed him two years later after finishing her studies in enology and was transfixed by her new surroundings. She eventually fell in love with Cyril Marès of Mas de Bressades, literally the boy next door, and today, she runs the 75-hectare domaine. Energetic and passionate, Nathalie is regarded as one of the most talented winemakers of the Costières de Nîmes.

Info:

Product: Mas Carlot Les Enfants Terribles
Formats available: 750 ml
Appellation: AOC Costières de Nîmes
Country: France
Raw materials: 60% Mourvèdre, 40% Syrah
SoilType: Rolled pebbles colored by the red clay of Costières
Exposition: South-east facing slopes
Average Yield: Mas Carlot limits yields to around 45hl/ha, which is one-third below what the appellation allows
Vinification: The Mourvèdre and Syrah are fermented separately.
Region: Costières de Nîmes
Average Of Vineyards: Vines are up to 60 years old
Elevation: Vines are planted to 70 meters above sea level.
Duration And Aging Method: The Mourvèdre and Syrah are aged for nine months, half in tank and half in barrel.
Alcohol Content: 14%
Production: 3,000 cases

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Whispering Angel Rosé – Back in stock!

May 21, 2016 Jason | Kraken

We are delighted to announce the re-supply of Whispering Angel Rosé – one of the most requested Rosé wines of 2016!

Whispering Angel Rosé is only available to us on a pre-order basis meaning it is not a regular stock item from our distributor so we can’t get it all the time.

If you need a delightful, easy drinking, celebratory Rosé, snag capture this French Angel in a bottle while miraculously in our store.

$20.99 / 750ml while supply lasts

From esclans.com:

The Whispering Angel chapel from early 19th century, with its two cherubs who have inspired the creation of Whispering Angel.

Whispering Angel is a blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes. Strikingly pale pink in color, the aromas are fresh and fruity. On the palate, it is bone dry through the finish. The name really suits the delicate nature of this wine.

Beverage Warehouse

Category Archives: Wine