One Bottle: Aimery Sparkling Cremant Brut Limoux NV
One Bottle: Sieur d'Eguilles Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rose AOP 2020
One Bottle: Clouds Rest Allure Reserve Chardonnay 2016 Sonoma Coast
One Bottle: Peachy Canyon Westside Zinfandel 2017 Paso Robles

~ By Aimery ~
Cremant de Limoux Brut NV

The First Sparkling Wine
It was in 1531, one century before Dom Perignon, that wines from Limoux stepped onto the world stage. Benedictine nuns from Saint Hilaire Abbey, a neighboring village, had created the first sparkling wine in the world: la Blanquette de Limoux.

Terroir
Our terroir, characterized by Mediterranean sunshine and moderated by the altitude and temperate climate due to the oceanic influence, made conditions ideally suited for the slow ripening of the grapes, reaching a harmonious balance between minerality and freshness. Extremely strict terroir-based selection and choice of plots, state-of-the-art vinification techniques, and investment in human terms have made Limoux wines one of the most renowned AOC wines in the world. Control of each aspect of the terroir is monitored, including climate, altitude, slope, topography, soil type, and rootstock. Monitoring of the vine has enabled us to adopt the finest grape varieties and best growing practices to the geo-climatic characteristics of each vineyard plot.

Sustainable Development
After many years of effort, the growers were awarded in 2009 the certification: Growers in Sustainable Development.

Vinification
Traditional method (Methode Champenoise) - 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin, 20% Pinot Noir, exclusively hand-picked. Second fermentation - the prise de mousse takes place slowly in the bottle, under ideal conditions (12 degrees C), favoring slow fermentation and enhancing the delicacy, both in terms of aromas and bubbles. Aging on laths for second fermentation lasting 15 months.

Tasting
The wine has a pale, yellow robe with green highlights and delicate, long-lasting bubbles. A fresh nose with notes of white flowers, acacia, pear, and peach followed by toasted brioche and fresh butter aromas make for a harmonious bouquet. A lively attack and unctuous palate provide an overall subtle elegance.
[Information provided by Olivier Nouet]

~ By Cellier d'Eguilles ~
Sieur d'Eguilles AOP Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rose

Vineyards
Eguilles is a village set atop a hill chain six miles northwest of the city of Aix en Provence. Climate in the area is typically Mediterranean, hot and dry in summer, cool in winter. The Mistral, a strong, dry northerly wind, blows throughout the year. Soil is mainly stony clay and limestone, with occasional sandy patches.

Grapes
This wine is predominantly made from Grenache, with Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon, in proportions that vary according to the vintage.

Winemaking
Harvest is carried out at night when the temperature is coolest. The grapes are pressed as soon as they get to the winery in nitrogen-inerted pneumatic presses. Juices are then cold-settled before undergoing low-temperature fermentation. Great care is taken throughout the process to control oxygen intake, which is key to the wine's ability to keep its pink color during its shelf life.

Tasting notes
Bright, pale pink color. The nose boasts red berries with a touch of citrus. The mouth is remarkably fresh, with red berry flavors and an elegant and lengthy finish.

Food Pairing
Best enjoyed with BBQ, grilled fish, salads, and cold cuts. Serve cool (50 degrees F). Drink within 18 months.
[Information provided by Cellier d'Eguilles]
[Information is not vintage specific]

~ By Clouds Rest ~
2016 Allure Reserve Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Wine Details
Single Vineyard: 1.25 acres, 5 ft x 8 ft spacing
Soil: Gravelly
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay, 100% Wente clone
Winemaker: Anthony Austin

Production Notes
Direct press to 50% new Sirugue French oak barrels, 50% once-filled Sirugue French oak. Malolactic fermentation 100%. Ten months sur-lees.

Technical Details
Harvest Date: 9/12/16
Alcohol: 14.10%
Acidity: 5.90
pH: 3.35
SRP: $45
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

~ By Peachy Canyon ~
Westside Zinfandel 2017

Tasting Notes
Ever our flagship Zinfandel, this charming wine opens with aromas of rhubarb, sawdust, and allspice. Plum, black cherry, and boysenberry marry with notes of leather, tobacco, cassis, and menthol on the palate for a slightly dry finish. Pale garnet, bordering on brick. Extremely balanced, with light grainy tannins, nice length, and a full body. A spicy nose of bay leaves, rose petals, white pepper, coriander, and anise opens up to a mouth full of raspberry brambles and strawberry-rhubarb pie. Accented with hints of ripe stone fruit, red currants, and vanilla.

Production Notes
The fruit for this Zinfandel was sourced from multiple vineyards on the west side of Paso Robles. Picked as they reached optimal ripeness, the grapes were hand-harvested and carefully destemmed. The resulting musts were fermented to dryness and softly pressed before being aged for 18 months in a combination of 30% new French, Hungarian, and American oak barriques and puncheons.

Wine Details
Vintage: 2017
Blend: Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah
Appellation: Paso Robles
Harvest Date: 08/27/2017 - 10/06/2017
Sugar: 24.60 - 25.50 Brix at harvest
Acid: 6.50 g/l
pH: 3.97
Residual Sugar: 0.66 g/l
Alcohol: 14.30%
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Cellier d'Eguilles 2020 Sieur d'Eguilles Rose (Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence)
Rating: 91
Designation: Sieur d'Eguilles
Variety: Rose
Appellation: Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Provence, France
Winery: Cellier d'Eguilles
Alcohol: 13.00%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Rose
Importer: W. Direct
Date Published: 9/1/2021
Reviewed by: Roger Voss 
This is a densely fruity wine, rich in raspberry flavors and plenty of crisp, balancing acidity. The wine is tangy, bright with orange zest and packed with fruitiness at the end. Drink now.

Peachy Canyon Winery 2017 Zinfandel Westside
Points: 91
Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, Central Coast
Red wine from United States
Drinking window: 2023 - 2031
Deep shimmering red. Expansive raspberry and boysenberry aromas, along with vanilla, mocha and spice nuances. Sappy and focused in the mouth, offering gently sweet red and blue fruit flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. The spicy quality repeats strongly on a long, smooth finish shaped by round, even tannins.
Josh Raynolds, February 2020

Peachy Canyon 2017 Westside Zinfandel (Paso Robles)
Rating: 88
Designation: Westside
Variety: Zinfandel
Appellation: Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, US
Winery: Peachy Canyon
Alcohol: 14.30%
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Date Published: 12/1/2019
Reviewed by: Matt Kettmann
Canned cherries and red plums cast a red fruit net across the pleasant nose of this widely available, fairly priced bottling. Spicy tones of nutmeg and dried ginger give depth to the cherry-sauce flavors.

Peachy Canyon 2017 Paso Robles Westside Zinfandel
Rating: 88
(10/19)