White Wine Chartron et Trebuchet Pouilly-Fuisse 2020. Maison Chartron et Trebuchet operates as a negociant or wine merchant that buys in the very best quality grapes from top sites which they then vinify themselves. Thanks to this approach, they are able to source excellent fruit which they use to make excellent value white wines from many of Burgundy’s finest terroirs. They only work with vineyards in Côte d’Or and the Maconnais, monitoring the fruit during the ripening season to ensure only perfect fruit makes it into their wines. They also insist that all of the harvesting is also done by hand. This Pouilly-Fuisse is a great example of their typical house style, offering impressive quality at a modest price point. Once in the winery the Chardonnay fruit is fermented and aged in oak casks, with 20-40% new oak barrels used depending on the vintage. Apricot, green apple, and hints of toasted oak burst out of the glass, while the first sip reveals a rich and creamy texture, well-rounded full body, and a generous orchard fruit core. The finish is long and polished with hints of toasted nuts, woodsmoke, and vanilla from the oak ageing. A great partner for grilled salmon steaks or smoked salmon, herby roast chicken, and even tricky to pair dishes involving asparagus and artichokes.
2020
White Wine Chartron et Trebuchet Pouilly-Fuisse 2020
White Wine Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2020. With its 60 hectares of old vines, the 16th century Chateau de Beaucastel is the historic cradle of the Perrin family. In 1909, Pierre Tramier took over the estate and then passed it on to his son-in-law Pierre Perrin, who gave the estate its full development. Pierre’s son, Jacques continued his father’s work until 1978, when he passed the business to his sons, who still run the winery with their respective sons. Chateau de Beaucastel was the first vineyard in the Rhone Valley to be certified organic since 1964. The vineyard is located in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, very close to Courthézon. Roussane represents the majority of the assembly, with small additions of Grenache Blanc, Picardan, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. The 2020 vintage was characterized by beautiful climatic conditions: the mild spring was followed by a hot but not torrid summer, with cool nights that kept the grapes cool. This resulted in a balanced wine with excellent aging potential. The golden color of this Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is captivating: its brilliance and intensity are impressive. The complex aromatic bouquet evokes almonds, white fruits, and flowers, but also some fine spices. The palate is elegant and supple, perfectly balanced between the power and the delicacy of the aromas. Served at 10°C with fish, fine poultry, or veal.
2020
White Wine Chateau Purcari Academia Viorica 2020. Drink it now. No need to decant. The Chateau Purcari winery is famous for both the quality of its wines and its long history. Its vineyards rest in one of the most important areas of Moldova, in the southeast of the national territory about 2 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Here the climate is influenced by the proximity of the Black Sea which is located about 30 kilometers to the south, and mitigates the frosts that come from the north center of the region. This location favors a cold winter climate without reaching the low temperatures found in the rest of Moldova. While summers are wrapped in a dry heat that never reaches high temperatures. The temperature variations, especially in the period July and August, help these grapes to release a beautiful olfactory harmony. The white grape Viorica is the result of the crossing of two red grape varieties: the French Seibel and the Italian Aleatico. The new variety produces wines with bold aromas, balanced by good finesse and elegance. This orange wine has tones of golden yellow in the glass, and a nose that reveals notes of acacia, rose, nectarine and apricot, and recalls the scents of spring. On the palate, the wine is fresh and shows a good complexity, with delicate fruity notes and a hint of sea breeze. Viorica de Purcari is easy to drink, with a good balance of flavors. It is the perfect wine to taste as an aperitif on a terrace facing a romantic sunset.
2020