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Alice Verdeca 2023: $21.50
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Produttori Vini Manduria)
Varietal: Verdeca
Winery: Produttori Vini Manduria
Region: Salento, Italy
Drink or Cellar? Drink now or cellar for up to 2 years!
Process
The Alice Verdeca 2023 from Produttori di Manduria is crafted with care to highlight the unique characteristics of the Verdeca grape. Here’s a brief overview of the winemaking process:
- Harvesting: The grapes are picked from 15 to 20-year-old vines in mid-September.
- Pressing: The grapes are gently pressed to extract the must.
- Fermentation: The must undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation at around 15-18°C in stainless steel vats.
- Aging: The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks for a few months before being bottled.
This process helps preserve the fresh, citrusy, and mineral qualities of the wine.
Tasting notes
Color: bright golden yellow
Bouquet: delicious aromas of hawthorn and acacia, cedar and yellow grapefruit, alongside mineral and saline notes. Blossomy note lingering on the finish.
Taste: fresh and savory on the palate with citrus aftertaste. Good persistence.
Food pairings
Try this exceptional wine with baked seabass with lemon potatoes, sea bream carpaccio, delicate cheeses, seafood, and lemon pastries.
From Them to You!
Produttori di Manduria is a historic wine cooperative located in the Puglia region of Italy. Established in 1932, it has become a significant player in the Apulian wine industry. The cooperative was founded by a group of experienced winemakers who took over an old factory and set up the Wine Federation. It officially became a cooperative on July 9, 1932. The cooperative consists of around 400 small growers who collectively farm 900 hectares of vineyards. This structure allows for meticulous vineyard management and a focus on quality. Produttori di Manduria is celebrated for its dedication to quality and its role in preserving the winemaking traditions of the region.
Source: https://www.produttoridimanduria.it/
Villa Venti Rubicone Rosso 2021: $18.50
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Villa Venti)
Varietal: Centesimino (savignon rosso)
Winery: Societa Agricola Villa Venti S.S.
Region: Rubicone, Italy
Drink or Cellar? Drink now or cellar for up to 2 years
Process
Manual harvesting in the first week of October. Spontaneous fermentation and maceration in Georgian terracotta amphora (Kvevri).
“On the nose it is fruit, in the mouth it is earth. “A” is the red wine obtained from a fermentation in Georgian amphora (Kvevri) from Centesimino grapes, which was born as a historical and cultural project, an exchange of techniques and experiences between some Georgian producers and others from Emilia-Romagna. Right in the wake of the values and knowledge of the past, we chose the name “A”, the first letter of the alphabet, which like winemaking we have handed down from the dawn of time in the countries of the Mediterranean basin.”
Tasting notes
Appearance: Deep ruby red color.
Nose: Fruity aromas with hints of red berries and subtle earthy undertones.
Palate: The wine has a balanced acidity with flavors of ripe red fruits, a touch of spice, and a notable earthy character. The tannins are smooth, providing a pleasant mouthfeel.
Food pairings
This wine pairs nicely with an array of meat dishes, pastas, vegetarian platters and cheeses!
From Them to You!
Villa Venti is the positive story of an Italian winemaking family that believes in a future built with their own hands. On the gentle slopes of the Romagna hills beyond the Rubicone, between Roncofreddo, a secluded and enchanted medieval village, and Longiano, a small town defined as an ‘Ideal Village’ by the European Community, lives a three-generation family that with a smile and commitment creates unique local wines from the earth every day. The habits are just as local: the ritual of making puff pastry, picking cherries and olives, growing ancient grains that are the basis for warm donuts when you wake up and for bread, seasonal fruit to make completely natural savor and jam. Style, traditions, culture, rhythms. All in the name of craftsmanship, sharing and growth, with a conscious, sustainable and respectful way of living towards the environment, plants, vines and man. We believe in a philosophy of life that learns from nature, without stress, against waste, anti-pollution, where organic becomes essentiality without compromise.
Source: https://www.villaventi.it/
Lubanzi Red Blend 2022: $18.00
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Lubanzi Wines)
Winery: Lubanzi Wines by Cape Venture Wine Co
Varietal: 80 % SHIRAZ • 1 5% GRENACHE • 5% MOURVEDRE
Region: Swartland, South Africa
Drink or Cellar? Drink now or cellar for 3-5 years!
Process
Farmed in favoured parcels of the coastal region, with its heart in the Swartland, this shiraz, grenache & mouvedre blend express the quality of the region that have made it iconic, led by its champion, shiraz. Jandpicked early morning, feb/mar 2022. Natural ferment, 20% whole bunch ferment. Partial carbonic maceration, natural secondary fermentation.
Tasting notes
Appearance: ruby colored
Nose: roasted sweet potatoes and new licorice
Palate: ripe plum, caraway seeds, red apple, eucalyptus, salinity and baked fruit, held together with grippy tannins and soft leathery texture
Food pairings
Pair this incredible wine with dishes such as red meats, garlic vegetables, roasted eggplant, strong aged cheeses, and spicy foods!
From Them to You!
Named for a wandering dog who led us 6 days & 100 miles hiking across South Africa’s Wild Coast…
We started in 2014, as two friends searching for an opportunity to make a difference in the world. In 2014, while living in South Africa as exchange students, we set off on a 20 hour bus ride along South Africa’s southern coast en route to the wild coast, a remote part of the country – famously the birthplace of Nelson Mandela – for a week long backpacking expedition. On our second day, a wandering dog the locals called ‘LUBANZI’ began following us on our adventure. He stuck with us throughout our journey – for 6 days & 100 miles – until he disappeared in the middle of the night before our final morning. There’s some poetic justice in that.
We believe that people should be in touch with what they consume – to understand how a product impacts the world, from farm to table. We built Lubanzi to share the magnetism of South Africa – in its tapestry, its culture, its people – & to make a difference in the lives of those who live and work on the country’s wine farms. We also did it to stand for global citizenship and the value of adventure & the impact we believe both can have on creating a happier, more tolerant, more connected world.
We believe in the power of business to change the world — to change the way people think, to better our earth, to shift supply chains toward better balance, especially for those at the beginning of them, and to share stories that can remind us, that as a collective, we can be an incredible engine for equity, for inclusivity, and for justice.
Source: https://www.lubanziwines.com/
Muralhas de Moncao Vinho Verde 2022: $16.50
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Adega de Moncao)
Varietal: Alvarinho 85% & Trajadura 15%
Winery: Adega de Moncao
Region: Vinho Verde, Portugal
Drink or Cellar? Drink now or cellar for 1-2 years
Process
An iconic wine that finds its place at the table and memory of all Portuguese people. A historical symbol of the region of Monção and Melgaço that shows, through the harmonious blend of Alvarinho and Trajadura grape varieties, the natural wealth of this territory. This wine is harvested at optimal time for balance of acidity and sweetness, then fermented at controlled temperatures to retain freshness and fruit flavors.
Tasting notes
Appearance: brilliant citrine color
Nose: fresh aromas of peach, apricot, mint and lemongrass
Palate: flavor persists in the mouth with the smoothness and freshness. you’ll find a light body with a streak of minerality and acidity. It also has flavors of mandarin orange, green apple, pineapple, honey, and a touch of salinity
Food pairings
Enjoy this wine by pairing it with light salads and aperitifs, as well as seafoods
From Them to You!
The natural cradle for Vinhos Verdes
Monção and Melgaço is part of the Demarcated Region of Vinhos Verdes, an area that extends throughout the Northwest of Portugal, commonly known as Entre-Douro-e-Minho. In addition to being the largest demarcated area of national viticulture, it is one of the largest of Europe.
From the dream of some to the pride of so many
October 11, 1958. On this day, the dream was no longer a dream. 25 signatures brought hours and hours of conversations and meetings to life. The “It would be good to have…” ended and a new era began.
Adega Cooperativa e Regional de Monção was born, as a result of the common ambition of a group of winegrowers. It is not surprising that, in a region of people known for their resilient character and for their enormous capacity to overcome difficulties, such an idea was born. The natural privilege where the grapes for such precious wines were grown was well known. The quality was undeniable. However, an action to optimize production and take the good news to all corners was needed. A common strategy was the only answer. With the formation of Adega de Monção, it comes into existence. The decades of history are proof that ambition is only the engine of achievements.
Source: https://adegademoncao.pt/en/
Tomas Cusine Vilosell 2021: $18.25
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Tomas Cusine Winery)
Varietal: Tempranillo, Syrah and Grenache
Winery: Tomas Cusine Winery
Region: Coasters del Segre, Spain
Drink or Cellar? Drink now or cellar 5-7 years.
Process
Hand harvesting into boxes and refrigeration of the whole grape, with a strict selection grape by grape on a double sorting table. Aging in one and two-year-old fine grain French oak barrels for 9 months. Aged on lees for 3 months in underground cement tanks.
Tasting notes
Appearance: deep ruby red
Nose: Smoky with aromas of black fruit and chocolate with hints of white pepper.
Palate: Plush and attractively sweet, offering a flavour of blackberries and mocha. Mouth-filling with a long aftertaste.
Food pairings
Enjoy this delicious wine selection with hearty paellas or risottos, slow-cooked stews, grilled meats and gouda
From Them to You!
“The winery is the first independent project that I began on my own, after having gained some experience at the Castell del Remei and Cérvoles wineries, which have always been family-run. It was in 2003 when I started this adventure, establishing myself in Les Garrigues region. My goal was to produce wines with character that would reflect the expression of the terroir, implementing my own wine philosophy and taking advantage of all the knowledge I had gained on the DO Costers del Segre wine region. A few years later, I focused on consolidating my style by prioritising the work being done in the vineyard along with precision viticulture, which have both been nourished by effort and passion. I hope to continue maintaining and increasing the prestige of my wines”. –Tomàs Cusiné, winemaker
Source: https://www.tomascusine.com/en/
Maysara Arsheen Pinot Gris 2023: $22.00
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from Maysara Winery)
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Winery: Maysara Winery
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Drink or Cellar? Drink now or…cellar from 2-5 years
Process
The Momtazis believe in holding vintages until the wine is fully evolved, rather than releasing chronologically. Each vintage is unique and should mature on its own timeline. 97% stainless steel 3% Nomblot concrete egg.
Tasting notes
Appearance: golden straw
Nose: fresh cut honeysuckle, ripe honeydew melon, and yellow apple
Palate: Grapefruit, golden apples, and pears float atop juicy acidity and texture that won’t quit.
Food pairings
A complex white that will pair perfectly with creamy cheeses and weighty pasta dishes.
From Them to You!
At Maysara Winery and Momtazi Vineyard, we are committed to capturing the true expression of our land and conveying it to you through the premium quality found in every bottle. We practice low-impact, holistic farming methods in our Demeter certified Biodynamic vineyard and carry this philosophy into the cellar, where our Biodynamic winemaking practices produce wines with intensity and elegance while maintaining natural harmony between fruit and earth.
The Story of Arsheen
Arsheen was an Archeamenian Princess during the 500 B.C. Era. She taught Astronomy and was granted the role of winemaker in the palace due to her impeccable palate and knowledge.
Source: https://www.maysara.com/
West Seattle Wine Cellars 