The Insider – September 2024
The Insider – August 2024 As we enjoy the final days of summer, winemakers are entering their most intense season – the grape harvest has officially begun! This crucial time represents the peak of a year’s dedication in the vineyards, where the balance of timing and precision will determine the quality of the wine. Grapes must be harvested at the perfect moment, capturing the ideal ripeness unique to each variety and wine style. Winemakers now face the challenge of nature’s unpredictability, relying on their expertise and swift action to turn these carefully nurtured grapes into exceptional wines, setting the stage for the next vintage. Wine descriptions below, and if you run out, you can order more from The Cellar. Don’t forget, you can look up past boxes in The Archive. Casa de Saima, Reserva Tinto [grape/vintage] Baga, Touriga Nacional / 2017[region]Bairrada This wine has groove. It’s got a deep bass line of Baga with Touriga Nacional on drums. It’s as smooth as Barry White Wine and about as funky. Play it as accompaniment to a late summer bbq or a deep winter dinner party. Pairs well with grilled prime red meats like a juicy picanha or t-bone, or a hearty game stew. Read more about it in The Cellar. Quinta Várzea da Pedra Reserva, Tinto [grape/vintage] Syrah, Touriga Nacional / 2021 [region] Lisboa A deep and thoughtfull red. You could pour right out of the gate cuz it’s bright and cheery at first, but let it sit for a moment and gather its thoughts then enjoy its well-formed discussion of spices, charred wood and black cherry. Pairs well with a big hearty meat stew or char-grilled t-bone off the grill. Read more about it in The Cellar. Morde, Tinto Cão [grape/vintage] Tinto Cão / 2021[region] Alentejo There’s a deep base beat in this one. Probably around 40hz. With some juicy, squelchy notes of black cherry and blackberry with little happy high hats of violets and spice. It’s intense and passionate and expressive, but in the way a sheep dog stares at you when you enter its field. Goes well with a thick juicy steak. ‘Nuff said. 😉 Read more about it in The Cellar.
The Enthusiast – September 2024
The Enthusiast – September 2024 As we enjoy the final days of summer, winemakers are entering their most intense season – the grape harvest has officially begun! This crucial time represents the peak of a year’s dedication in the vineyards, where the balance of timing and precision will determine the quality of the wine. Grapes must be harvested at the perfect moment, capturing the ideal ripeness unique to each variety and wine style. Winemakers now face the challenge of nature’s unpredictability, relying on their expertise and swift action to turn these carefully nurtured grapes into exceptional wines, setting the stage for the next vintage. Wine descriptions below, and if you run out, you can order more from The Cellar. Don’t forget, you can look up past boxes in The Archive. Astronauta, Chardonnay [grape/vintage] Chardonnay / 2023 [region] Lisboa Not your typical winemaker. Not your typical Chardonnay. Anibal Coutinho hops around Portugal in his spacesuit making amazingly interesting and affordable wines, and this brand new Chardonnay is no exception. Minimal oak, lots of character and versatility. Smells like a basket of fresh-picked pears wrapped in a fresh morning breeze and tastes like a lemon tart wrapped in a custard cream. Totally yummy with a melanzane a la parmigiana, a pan-seared salmon fillet or a juicy pork tenderloin with fig and apple. Read more about it in The Cellar. Casa Américo, Alfrocheiro [grape/vintage] Alfrocheiro / 2018[region] Dão The Alfrocheiro grape is native to the Dão region and this monovarietal smells and tastes like the flinty, rocky hills of its motherland. Dense, dark and devilish, it will inspire you either to finally finish that novel you’ve been writing for 20 years or talk nonsense deep into the night. Pairs well with grilled prime red meats like a juicy picanha or t-bone, or a hearty game stew. Decant for at least two hours. Read more about it in The Cellar. Astronauta, Aragonez [grape/vintage] Aragonez / 2022 [region] Alentejo Pure and poetic in a Charles Bukowski kind of way, like being slappped on the face with a dusty metaphor of cork trees, ripe plums and a rusting old tractor while a barefoot kid steals your wallet. Fresh and deep and happy when washing down a Quiejo de Nisa or a grilled chouriço. Would be very happy with a local charcuterie board, a nice fatty, grilled chouriço or steak, or a rich, creamy pasta carbonara. 94 Points from Mr. Robert Parker!!! Read more about it in The Cellar.
The Connoisseur – September 2024
The Connoisseur – September 2024 As we enjoy the final days of summer, winemakers are entering their most intense season – the grape harvest has officially begun! This crucial time represents the peak of a year’s dedication in the vineyards, where the balance of timing and precision will determine the quality of the wine. Grapes must be harvested at the perfect moment, capturing the ideal ripeness unique to each variety and wine style. Winemakers now face the challenge of nature’s unpredictability, relying on their expertise and swift action to turn these carefully nurtured grapes into exceptional wines, setting the stage for the next vintage. Wine descriptions below, and if you run out, you can order more from The Cellar. Don’t forget, you can look up past boxes in The Archive. Casa Américo, Alfrocheiro [grape/vintage] Alfrocheiro / 2018[region] Dão The Alfrocheiro grape is native to the Dão region and this monovarietal smells and tastes like the flinty, rocky hills of its motherland. Dense, dark and devilish, it will inspire you either to finally finish that novel you’ve been writing for 20 years or talk nonsense deep into the night. Pairs well with grilled prime red meats like a juicy picanha or t-bone, or a hearty game stew. Decant for at least two hours. Read more about it in The Cellar. QM, Alvarinho [grape/vintage] Alvarinho/ 2021[region] Vinho Verde This is a best-seller – price to pleasure ratio is tops. Besides that it’s delicious. We could drink this pretty much any time, any place. Like the man said, it’s gently complex with great legs. You can’t go wrong. Pairs well by itself, but superb with a lighly-broiled sea-bass, bowl of steamed mussels or even some regional chouriço. Read more about it in The Cellar. Ilha do Pico, “Terras de Lava” Merlot [grape/vintage] Merlot / 2020[region] Ilha do Pico, Açores It’s pretty hard to find a wine from Pico Wines that we don’t like and this Merlot is no exception. It’s bloody good. Subtle, deep and light all at the same time, it perfectly balances this classic French grape with the rugged landscape and ocean winds of the island. Savor it on your palate. Drink in those vulcanic afternotes and hear the waves crashing on the rocky shore. Pairs well with white or red meats, mature cheeses, or break the rules and surprise yourself by pairing with a citrus fish or ceviche. Read more about it in The Cellar.