The Hedonistic Taster
2019 Holiday Bubbles Edition
by L.M. Archer
Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
The Hedonistic Taster provides an intimate format for me to share industry trade samples with you.
It’s that time!
Please enjoy this Special Edition of 2019 Holiday Bubbles from France, Italy and Oregon – guaranteed to scintillate your seasonal celebrations!
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Brut – Languedoc (Crémant de Limoux), France
Vintage: NV
Alcohol: 12%
Specs: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, 10% Pinot Noir, 10% Mauzac.
Suggested Retail: $ 18.99
Robe: Pale lemon robe, pinpoint perling.
Nose: Almond, fleurs blanches, pear, lemon zest notes.
Bouche: Textured, lemon zest bouche, clean acids, well-balanced finish. Great quality for value.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Côté Mas Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs – Languedoc, France
Vintage: NV
Alcohol: 12%
Specs: 100% Chardonnay.
Suggested Retail: $ 18.99
Robe: Pale straw robe, pinpoint perling.
Nose: Lemon zest, almond flower nez.
Bouche: Lemon zest, maquis bouche; harmonious acids, soft finish. Fine quality to value sparkler.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Côté Mas Crémant de Limoux Rosé Brut – Languedoc (Crémant de Limoux), France
Vintage: NV
Alcohol: 12%
Specs: 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc, 10% Pinot Noir.
Suggested Retail: $ 18.99
Robe: Crushed rose petal robe, pinpoint perling, frothy mousse.
Nose: Crushed raspberry, rocky minerality, wild strawberry, cherry nez.
Bouche: Citrus, pink grapefruit, lime flower, golden apple bouche. Vervey acids, fine finish. Exceptional quality to value.
More about Domaines Paul Mas here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG
Vintage: NV
Alcohol: 11%
Link to Producer Specs here. 100% Glera.
Suggested Retail: $ 19.00
Robe: Bright straw robe; ultra-fine, persistent perling.
Nose: White flowers, yellow and white fruit nose.
Bouche: Almond, herbal, citrus bouche. Textured, nuanced, crisp, dry, refreshing. Soulful, authentic expression of place from start to finish. EXCELLENT quality for price.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gonzáles Byass – Vilarnau Brut Reserva – D.O. Cava
Vintage: NV
Alcohol: 11.5%
Link to Producer Specs here. 50% Macabeo, 35% Parellada, 15% Xarel-lo.
Suggested Retail: $ 14.99
Robe: Clear golden hue, pinhead perling, exuberant mousse.
Nose: Round, golden fruit and white flower aromas.
Bouche: Fleshy golden apple bouche. Sunny light, food-friendly crowd-pleaser.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gonzáles Byass – Vilarnau Brut Reserva Rosé – D.O. Cava
Vintage: NV
Alcohol: 12%
Specs: 85% Garnacha, 15% Pinot Noir.
Suggested Retail: $ 15.99
Robe: Iridescent salmon hue, pinpoint perling, generous mousse.
Nose: Quince, red pear aromas.
Bouche: Fleshy red apple, lime zest, tarragon side note. Savory, scintillating, bone dry finish. A deceptive, shapeshifting stunner that holds one’s imagination throughout the evening, from aperitif to dessert.
More about Caves Vilarnau here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Charles Smith POPUP –Evergreen Vineyard, Ancient Lakes, Washington State
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13%
Specs: 100% Chardonnay.
Suggested Retail: $ 14.99
Robe: Clear straw robe, pinhead perling, generous mousse.
Nose: Honeysuckle, lemon curd, white stone fruit nez.
Bouche: Golden apple, pear, jasmine; lemon-smarties finish. Tarty-tinged, slightly sweet, easy, breezy Millennial quaffer.
More about Charles Smith Wines of Substance here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Flâneur Extra Brut – Willamette Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.4%
Link to Producer Specs here. Inaugural vintage. 53% Pinot Noir, 37% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2019.
Suggested Retail: $ 65 / 125 cases.
Robe: Pale gold robe.
Nose: Toast, red fruit nez.
Bouche: Grace Kelly in a bottle. Great bones, with sumptuous sub-notes. Chapeau.
More about Flâneur Wines here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gran Moraine Brut Rosé – Yamhill-Carlton, OR.
Vintage: NV
Alcohol: 12.5%
Specs: 57% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir
Suggested Retail: $ 55
Robe: Deep gold robe, single-shaft pinpoint perling.
Nose: Lemon, citrus, chalk, brioche nez.
Bouche: Golden apple, citrus, bouche; smooth finish. Elegant, refined, well-structured.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Brut Rosé – Willamette Valley AVA, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.5%
Link to Producer Specs here. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Disgorged Summer 2019.
Suggested Retail: $ 65 / 225 cases.
Robe: Luxurious copper hue, pinpoint perllng, sumptuous mousse.
Nose: Rusk nose.
Bouche: Fleshy red apple, quince, lemon curd bouche. Exquisitely constructed.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Estates Cuvée Extra Brut – Willamette Valley AVA, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.9%
Link to Producer Specs here. 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged Summer 2019.
Suggested Retail: $ 65 / 214 cases.
Robe: Pale lemon robe, single-shaft pinpoint perling, seductive mousse.
Nose: Brioche, marzipan, mandarin nez.
Bouche: Grapefruit, chalk, pear bouche. Lovely, vivid acids, dry, bright finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Ribbon Ridge Blanc de Blancs – Ribbon Ridge AVA, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.5%
Link to Producer Specs here. 100% Chardonnay. Disgorged Summer 2019.
Suggested Retail: $ 65 / 166 cases.
Robe: Clear gold robe, tiny bubbles, diaphanous mousse.
Nose: Zweiback, almond, white flower nose.
Bouche: Chalky, chiseled lemon bouche. Lean, mean, ultra-dry. Perfect pairing with Oysters Rockefeller.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Trisaetum Pashey Coast Range Blanc de Blancs, Yamhill-Carlton AVA, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.5%
Link to Producer Specs here. 100% Chardonnay. Disgorged Summer 2019.
Suggested Retail: $ 65 / 174 cases.
Robe: Pale gold robe; pinpoint perling, etherial mousse.
Nose: Brioche, hazelnut, golden delish apple, salt spray notes.
Bouche: Apricot, lemon zest, lemon curd bouche. Chiseled acids, refined finish.
Another masterful line-up of sparkling wines by artisan winemaker James Frey.
More about Trisaetum Pashey Sparkling Wines here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuvée Sparkling Wine – 70% Oregon, 30% Washington
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here. Disgorged July 2019.
Suggested Retail: $ 28
Robe: Pale straw robe, pinpoint perling, emollient mousse.
Nose: Rusk, wet white stone, almond notes.
Bouche: Lemon curd, crisp golden apple, firm bosc pear bouche. Tart acids, clean finish. This sparking wine checks every box. Well done, winemaker Robin Hawley.
More about Sokol Blosser here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Stoller Family Estate Larue’s Brut Rosé – Dundee Hills, OR.
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 12%
Link to Producer Specs here. 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay. Bottled September 2018.
Suggested Retail: $ 65
Robe: Venetian amber-gold hue, with subtle copper hints. Single, pinpoint perled shaft, diaphanous mousse.
Nose: Brioche, toast, golden apple notes.
Bouche: Lemon zest, fleshy golden apple, quince bouche; complex, multi-layered finish. Divine.
More about Stoller Family Estates here.
More Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyrighted L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.