Maybe I’d hate to see that tiny little plot of odd vines uprooted to make room for more really excellent Merlot. The preservation of the good of a few over achieving the best good of the many? Maybe, but Americans long ago decided that diversity is good for everyone.
Clear, bright, medium-deep intensity, ruby red. Clean, medium intensity aromas of dark fruit, plum, blackberry, sage, and cedar. Dry on the palate, medium-high tannin, medium body and acidity. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, charred wood, bitter herbs, and moss. Pair with herb crusted lamb or a spicy black bean burger. Recommended. RR
Sommeliers-turned-winemakers: a predictable career move for restaurant wine professionals. Despite the large number of stories such as these among sommeliers, many are not vanity projects; instead, unique endeavors of true passion for a particular region or style.
Clear, bright, medium straw yellow; Clean nose with medium intensity white flowers, candied citrus rind, apricot, sweet hay, yellow apple, and hotdog water (not bad! this is a classic Viognier marker for me!); Dry on the palate with medium-full body, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium flavors of yellow apple, peach skin, honeysuckle, candied lemon; rich texture and a medium-long finish. Pair with pan seared tofu glazed with spicy peach preserves. Highly recommended.
Clear, bright, medium straw yellow; Clean nose with medium intensity white flowers, candied citrus rind, apricot, sweet hay, yellow apple, and hotdog water (not bad! this is a classic Viognier marker for me!); Dry on the palate with medium-full body, medium acid, medium alcohol, medium flavors of yellow apple, peach skin, honeysuckle, candied lemon; rich texture and a medium-long finish. Pair with pan seared tofu glazed with spicy peach preserves.
Aged in 100% neutral French oak, this 2009 American Counoise exhibits a signature burgundy hue that looks slightly darker than your typical Pinot Noir. Spicy and sultry, this wine tickles the back of the palate just as you begin to detect hints of vanilla, raspberries, and loam. While it demonstrates its youth, Substance’s Counoise is ready to be paired with a French country dinner of roasted rosemary chicken and red potatoes. It is enjoyable by the glass but its beautiful, tight structure requires some decanting before serving.
Loads of red fruit, cherries, red currants, and some cranberry flavors are up front, but are augmented in the mid-palate by some eucalyptus, loam, and unsweetened chocolate. Tannins are dusty, almost gritty. Unripe green flavors come through and linger on the finish. Drink with filet and lots of mushrooms sautéed in too much butter.
This is very rich wine, with loads of chocolate and bruised black fruit, a touch of cloves, and sweet dusty tannins. Wood effects are obvious, teetering on the edge but not quite tipping into the realm of an "oaksident." The wood is a big part of the flavor profile, turning some drinkers on and others off. Drink it with pan seared lamb chops and deglaze the pan with a little of the wine.