Click “continue reading” below to see the full blog post on each of the 6 unique wines for July 2024!
Guerila ‘Pinela’ 2020: $21.60
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Guerila)
Varietal: White wine
Winery: Guerilla
Grapes: Pinella
Region: Slovenia / Primorje / Vipava Valley
Farming: Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested
Processing
Manual harvesting of biodynamically grown grapes. Short maceration of the grape must, mild pressing and decantation of the must. Spontaneous fermentation with our own yeasts and spontaneous biological fermentation. Six-month maturation of wine in stainless steel tanks and concrete tulips on own lees. Bottling without filtration with minimal addition of sulphur.
Overview
“The straw yellow color gives the wine sparkle. The smell is very intense and fine. We recognize aromas of ripe and cooked fruit – grapefruit and peach, combined with delicate floral and herbal notes in the background. The delicate wine is full of flavor, with characteristic freshness and pleasant minerality.” –Guerila
Tasting notes
The complexity of tropical fruit aromas stand out with notes from apricots and grapefruit. The aromas encompass pineapple, honey, minerality, citrus fruits and dried flowers in the background. An enticing medium-bodied wine with a leaning on freshness and minerality that is brought out by the higher-acidity of this dry, white wine.
Food pairings
Vegetarian dishes, shellfish, poultry, lean fish, mild & soft cheeses
About Guerila
My name is Zmagoslav Petrič. Guerilla is the fruit of my ideas, dreams, desires and stubbornness.
I was born in 1956 in a farming family. In the same year, my father Jožef received an award for grapes of the old pinela variety. Coincidence or fate? My childhood memories bring me back to the time of working on a small farm, in the vineyard, in the cellar. To modesty, sincerity, responsibility, respect and love for the earth, nature and neighbor. My father unconsciously passed on these values to me and shaped me into a solid, well-mannered man. I pass this on to my family, colleagues and people around me. They say that a man can run away from the farm, but the farm from his heart never…
In 2005, a decision matured in me and Guerila was born, today a biodynamic vineyard farm on Planina near Ajdovščina in the Vipava valley. I chose the best locations in my judgment and planted vineyards with local varieties on them.
I built a modern winery. In my idea of viticulture, I believe in total respect for nature. I believe that authentic wine is born in the vineyard and only matures in its perfection in the cellar. Complete ecosystems in nature exist only where man interacts with nature. The key to life is harmony and balance, which is why we follow biodynamic principles in the vineyard and cellar.
Source: https://guerila.si/
2019 El Coto Crianza: $17.99
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from El Coto de Rioja)
Varietal: Spanish Rioja Red
Winery: El Coto
Grapes: Tempranillo
Region: Spain / Rioja / Rioja Alavesa
Process
The entire process is carried out with a rigorous control of the fermentation and maceration temperature. As a result an appropriate balance is achieved between structure and balance in the wines. Minimum 12 months in American oak barrels and at least 6 in the bottle.
Overview
“In the wine glass it presents a clean, bright cherry color with a garnet edge. On the nose it maintains the freshness of the fruit, with notes of vanilla and the most emblematic aromas of toasted oak. On the palate it is silky and persistent presenting a taste of well blended spice. Round, Fruity, Balanced” –El Coto
Tasting notes
This dry red wine has a more bold and tannic structure that lends itself to a higher-acidity as well. Strong notes of oak, vanilla, and tobacco are accentuated by the rich red fruit profiles of cherries and strawberries balanced out from the black fruit flavors of plum and blackberries for an overall excellent quality wine that is not too complex for a medium finish.
Food pairings
This wonderful wine is versatile and easy to pair with meats, fish, cheeses or Iberian hams.
About: From El Coto to You!
OWN VINEYARDS: QUALITY SOURCE
“Our winemaking philosophy considers the vineyard as the main source of quality. El Coto de Rioja have 1804 acres of our own vineyards, which allows us to control and guarantee the quality of our wines.
Our vineyards are located all over the Rioja D.O.Ca subzones, from estates in classic Rioja Alta locations such as Cenicero, to Finca Carbonera, the highest altitude vineyard in the Rioja D.O.Ca.”
Source: https://www.elcoto.com/en/
Altano Douro 2021: $13.50
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Altano)
Varietal: Portuguese Douro Red: Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz & Tinta Barroca
Winery: Altano
Grapes: Tinta Roriz
Region: Portugal / Northern Portugal / Duriense / Douro
Process
After careful selection processes, grapes go through a light-crushing and are released from a gravity-fed system into fermentation vats to preserve natural properties. Altano red is then transferred into either american or French oak casks for a minimum of 4 months.
Overview
“ Naturally elegant: Deep, crimson colour. This Altano red reveals scented floral aromas and focused, fresh fruit. Simultaneously full and silky on the palate, well-defined red fruit flavours come to the fore, enveloped in soft, ripe tannins and spicy notes. Generous, well-structured and elegant” –Altano
Tasting notes
This more-tannic, bold, dry red wine is more balanced–neither too acidic nor soft in structure with strong notes of blackberry and plum to counter the light red notes of cherries and complement the notes of oak and vanilla for a satisfying, balanced experience.
Food pairings
For food pairings, consider enjoying it with chargrilled Mediterranean vegetables, pasta or barbecued and roasted meats such as beef, lamb or game.
About: From Altano to You!
“Our family was amongst the pioneers of modern Douro wines. In the 1990s we began producing Douro DOC wines from the same vineyards and indigenous grape varieties that had always made great port. We released the first Altano red in 1999 and we haven’t looked back.
Today, the Altano range enjoys global distribution and the wines have received widespread recognition for their quality and distinctiveness.
The Altano reds are produced solely with grapes from our vineyards. Altano tinto is a full-bodied, fruity red made with a blend of traditional grape varieties.”
Source: https://www.symington.com/brand/altano; https://en.altano.pt/
Juan Gil Jumilla 2022 Blanco: $14.35
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Juan Gil)
Varietal: Spanish White–Small grain Muscat
Winery: Juan Gil
Grapes: Moscatel de grano menudo
Region: Spain / Murcia / Jumilla
Process
The grapes coming from our organic certified vineyards of small grain Muscat are manually selected and, afterwards, fermented in stainless-steel tanks, French oak barrels and oval-shaped concrete tanks at a controlled temperature, resulting in a magnificent white wine with a greater roundness and complexity on the palate.
Tasting notes
Light, green-tinged gold. Elegant and fresh with notes of stone and tropical fruits (peach, apricot, pineapple), citrus and white flowers. Clean, harmonious and tasty on the palate, very fresh and fruity with an interesting acidity and presence of citrus. Amiable mouthfeel and long finish with memories that bring you back to the start of the taste, inviting you to keep drinking.
Food pairings
This delectable wine is ideal to pair with fish, seafood, soft cheeses, salads, pasta, and white meats.
About: From Juan Gil to You!
Full Bodied, Complex & Infallible Wines
“The family tradition of producing wine started more than a century ago and continues today. Balanced and complex, born from the old vines and efficient technology. The dignity of the eternal struggle with the elements is expressed in every bottle. To choose to open a bottle of Juan Gil is to share the eternal spirit of wine in all its fullness.
Respect for the environment places Gil Family at the forefront of modern viticulture.
Viñas Familia Gil wineries have been designed to operate as sustainable facilities in accordance with the family’s principles: respect for the land and raw materials, energy efficiency and use of natural resources. A philosophy that responds to its maxim ‘We are Soils’.
Viñas Familia Gil makes a constant effort in R&D in the three fundamental areas of its activity: vineyards, winery and wines.”
Source: https://gilfamily.es/en
2016 RESERVE WEINGUT JOSEF FRITZ BLAUER ZWEIGELT: $19
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from WEINGUT JOSEF FRITZ)
Varietal: Austrian Zweigelt (red wine)
Winery: Weingut Josef Fritz
Grapes: Zweigelt
Region: Austria / Weinland / Niederösterreich
Process
“Only absolutely ripe and clean grape material comes into our cellar. This requires rigorous selection in the vineyard, and careful harvesting by hand. Built in 2003 according to the most modern insights, our three-level press house enables grape and juice transport exclusively by gravity, without the use of pumps. Pressing is done with the lightest possible pressure.
Our red wines are fermented and matured in large wooden barrels and, from the reserve quality and up, also in barrique barrels.”
Overview
Velvety fine tannins; melting finish; the emphasis of this wine lies in its beautiful fruit which enchants in the nose
Tasting notes
The 2016 Blauer Zweigelt Reserve from Weingut Josef Fritz offers a delightful tasting experience. This wine is complex, juicy, and velvety, with good persistency and certain aging potential. Its appearance is medium to dark purple in the glass. On the nose, it has tangy cassis with hints of floral note. On the palate, flavors of cassis and leather, complemented by a nice wet dirt quality. Stony acidity balances leathery but drying tannins
Food pairings
Pair with grilled meats such as lamb chops, steak, or venison. The wine’s tangy cassis notes complement the savory flavors of grilled meats. It would also pair well with mushroom Dishes as the earthy quality of this wine pairs beautifully with mushroom-based dishes like mushroom risotto or a wild mushroom tart. Try some hard cheeses: serve it alongside aged Gouda, Comté, or Pecorino. The wine’s acidity balances the richness of the cheese.
About: From Weingut Josef Fritz to You!
Winemaking in Harmony with Nature in the Vineyard
Ecological balance is the cornerstone of our vineyards, so that the diversity of nature can be preserved for the future as untouched as possible. For this reason, we restrict ourselves to minimum crop protection within the framework of controlled, integrated viticulture.
We understand wine as the sum of man, nature, and the cultural landscape of the vineyards.
Source: https://www.weingut-fritz.at/en/home.html
BLANVILLE ‘SOLAL’ ROSE: $14.40
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Haut Blanville)
Varietal: Languedoc-Roussillon Rosé
Winery: Blanville
Grapes: Cinsault, Grenache Gris
Region: France / Languedoc-Roussillon
Process
Farming happens in organic, clay-limestone soil and the fermentation and aging process takes place in stainless tanks.
Tasting notes
The Blanville Solal Rosé is a delightful French wine with aromas and flavors of red fruits, exotic fruits, and grapefruits that is medium-bodied on the palate with slightly creamy and melony flavors.
Food pairings
Pair this delicious wine with roasted fish, avocado shrimp verrine, and strawberry pie.
About: From Haut Blanville to You!
“Château Haut Blanville is a family-owned wine estate, built from scratch parcel by parcel since 1997 by Beatrice and Bernard Nivollet. Today, our wine estate is composed of two specialities :
- Skilled Winemakers: Our range of single parcel wines reveals the exceptional diversity and richness of our terroirs – qualities much appreciated by lovers of handcrafted fine wines the world over.
- Stars Revealers: We work with winemakers sharing our convictions. Wine merchant, we keep in mind to always offer you the best of Languedoc, whatever the desired wine range.”
Source: https://www.blanville.com/en/
West Seattle Wine Cellars 