This month we celebrate fall with these beautiful wines. November also means that we are very close to The TOP 50 Wines of 2022, with the countdown of the top 10 beginning this month! I hope you enjoy these wines as much as I do and stay tuned and join us as we begin the countdown with the Top 10 Wines of 2022. The Full Top 50 list will be posted as Decembers picks.
Salute-
November
NV Champagne Duménil, Blanc de Noir, Amour De Cuvée
Champagne, France
50% Pinot Meunier and 50% Pinot Noir. Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aged 5 years on lees. Only 2000 bottles produced.
Scents come with notes of brioche, biscuits and almonds with aromas of quince, apricot spread, orange blossom water, golden raspberry, chalk and sea mist.
On the palate the wine shows moderate palate weight, structured acidity and phenolics. A fine mousse and flavors of quince, orange zest, golden raspberry, brioche, biscuits, almonds, chalk and seaside minerals. The finish lingers with a touch of richness.
2019 Open Claim Vineyards, Chardonnay
Mt. Pisgah-Polk County AVA, Oregon
Aromas are on the rich side and show balance and intensity. Notes of lemon curd, white peach, spiced apples and crème brûlée pair with scents of butterscotch, wildflowers, vanilla, river stone, sea breeze and faint hints of mint that fade in and out.
On the palate, textured with a creamy mouthfeel, almost unctuous across the mid-palate. The acidity provides freshness, structure and balance. Flavors of lemon curd, spiced apples and peach come with vanilla crème brûlée, light butterscotch and orchard blossoms with mineral nuances the play out effortlessly through the long, baking spice laced finish.
Sensational.
Aged 16 months in French Oak barrels (33% new).
2018 Santo Wines, Nykteri Reserve
Santorini, Greece
A blend of 75% Assyrtiko, 15% Aidani and 10% Athiri aged for nine months in an equal mixture of new and second use French barriques.
Scents show notes of tropical fruits and apple that combine with sea mist, minerals, delicate yellow and white flowers, vanilla and a hint of honey and spice on the back end.
The palate shows richness with a creamy and textured mouthfeel balanced precisely by bright acidity and ripe phenolics. Layers of flavors coat the palate and reveal vanilla poached pears, tropical fruits of dried mango and pineapple, sea mist, minerals, delicate florals, honey and barrel spice. Balanced, precise and long through the finish.
2018 San Giusto a Rentennano, Chianti Classico Riserva ‘Le Baroncole’
Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy
97% Sangiovese and 3% Canaiolo aged for 20 months in French oak (20% new) and another 6 months+ in bottle.
The nose shows alluring notes of cherry, raspberry and red currant that mix with rose hip, lavender, blood orange, balsam, spice and hints of herbs, earth and pencil eraser. The palate is bright and lively with vibrant acidity that is met with full polished tannins. Crunchy red fruit penetrate the palate and show notes of cherry, raspberry, fresh pomegranate that give way to notes of rose hip, lavender and potpourri like flavors before revealing balsam, blood orange, earth and herbs. Tannins build through the long finish.
2017 d'Arenberg, Shiraz ‘The Dead Arm’
Saturated dark ruby in the glass. Aromas, though restrained, show concentrated marionberry, dark cherry, black plum and cassis notes that bring in scents of turned earth, violets, spice, sandalwood, vanilla, barrel accents and hints of wild mint.
The wine enters with power and thrust. Great tension between the firm almost chewy tannins and the berry like acidity. Flavors show a mixture of muddled blackberries and plums with dark cherry, cassis, vanilla, baking spices, black pepper and lighter nuances of liquid violets, earth and anise. The finish is masculine where the slow building tannins flex.