In the world of wines, a language speaks of character, a term reserved for those bottles that leave an indelible mark on the soul. It's not just about the taste; it's about the essence, the story, and spirit captured within each sip. Let me take you on a journey through six wines, each brimming with its unique personality, ready to enrich your next gathering with depth and emotion.
Chateau Violette
Château Violette is a small parcel of land that rests quietly between the famous Chateau of Château Trotanoy and Le Pin. This wine is best described as “generous,” with aroma and flavor being a delicate bouquet of great finesse imbued with a subtle reminder of violets for the palate's pleasure.
Why does La Violette cost over $1,000 a bottle? Well, the grapes for this 100% Merlot wine are hand-picked 2-3 times a day to capture the perfect moment. The delicate grapes are placed gently into small cartons instead of large bins to keep the grapes from splitting open too soon. The grapes are manually de-stemmed by over 60 harvest workers, ensuring only pure grapes go into the new French Oak barrels. The slow and considerate process results in a softer body and unctuous and charming wine in which the full expression of the pure fruit is preserved for years to come. It's a labor of love, reflected in every nuance of its flavor, promising years of unrivaled pleasure.
Beaux Frères
Then there's Beaux Frères, a testament to the bond of brotherhood and friendship. For me and my brother-in-law, visiting their vineyards was more than just a wine tasting—it was a celebration of our connection, shared stories, and everyday joys. Their Doration Pinot Noir, born from rocky soil and kissed by the Oregon sun, is a symphony of flavors—a rich tapestry of cherry pie and spice, velvety, dense red berries, and dulce de leche spice cake glints. Just imagine having dessert with your best friend or your best brother-in-law. https://beauxfreres.com/ is a tribute to the sweetness of companionship and the richness of life's moments.
Prisoner Complicit Red Blend
Next, let me introduce you to The Prisoner Complicit Red Blend—a wine that defies conventions and embraces the unexpected. Made in collaboration with High West Whiskey, it's a bold fusion of Zinfandel and Sangiovese, aged in bourbon and rye barrels for a depth of flavor that's as intriguing as it is satisfying. With each sip, you'll taste notes of black currant, cranberry, and spice—a symphony of flavors that dances on the palate, leaving a lingering warmth perfect for sharing with loved ones over a hearty meal.
Faire le Fete
Faire la Fete’ https://fairelafetewines.com/ means “LET’S PARTY”! This delightful sparkling Cremant de Limos, mane from Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, in the area where Dom Perignon first passed through on his way to Champagne. They’ve been making this delicious and fun wine since 1531, so it seems they’ve got the recipe down. It’s made traditionally like Grand Cru Champagne and ages 15 months on its lees, allowing the fine mousse to brew in the bottle.
Master Sommelier Peter Neptune called Faire la Fête “as good or better than most non-vintage Brut Champagne that I’ve tasted, at one-third the price.”
Faire la Fête is sippable delicious and versatile to pair with a wide range of culinary treats. But, I think it is best as a “walk in the door” sparkling greeting card that says, “Welcome to our room of joy.” You will discover flavors and aromas led by Amalfi lemon zest, along with plenty of mandarin blossom and crushed limestone.
Want to taste the emotion of a sweet lullaby or love song? Chateau Laville 2019 Sauternes conveys a poetic parade of enticing flavors, beginning with aromas of baked apple, then cinnamon, caramel, cooked pear, marmalade, butterscotch, and vanilla ice cream. A wine that's as enchanting as it is timeless. The mastery is evident in every aspect of this wine, and like all high-quality Sauternes, this will age for decades, steadily gaining in complexity. Vibrant, aromatic, and refreshing in every sip. A golden-tinged core in the glass. Aromas are led by white peach, chamomile, and geranium with notes of saffron and ginger spice. The mouthfeel is energetic with a juicy mid-palate, fruity complexity, excellent acidity, and a lovely long finish. Made up of 85% Sémillon, 13% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle. It’s a testament to the artistry of winemaking, a reminder that some things only get better with time.
Your events are imbued with emotion, personality, character, and curious conversations, along with amazing food. So why settle for the ordinary when you can experience the extraordinary? Let these wines be your companions on life's journey, guiding you through moments of joy, laughter, and celebration. And if you ever need a guiding hand, a professional wine-tasting-sommelier like Michael Perman, www.michaelperman.org is always ready to curate the perfect selection for your next gathering. Here's to good wine, good friends, and good times ahead. Cheers!