Or first selection for this category comes to us from Marlborough, New Zealand. Walnut Block ‘Collectables’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019 and all of the Walnut Block offerings is the vision of two brothers, Clyde and Nigel Sowman, who have joined together to create a range of wines reflecting their collective experience and passions.
Along
with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no
coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous
aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family. Sauvignon Blanc is a
dry white wine and when planted In the Loire Valley, it expresses citrus, flint
and smoky flavors while in New Zealand it often produces a pungent and racy
version, reminiscent of cut grass, gooseberry and grapefruit. California's
style is fruit-driven, that can be found in either a soft and oak-aged or
snappy and fresh version.
Situated
in the renowned Wairau Valley, Walnut Block Wines takes its name from the
landmark walnut tree within the vineyard itself. The 44-acre vineyard is
located on the Wairau Valley plains, a dry ancient riverbed which has created a
prime growing area for Sauvignon Blanc. The brother’s say, “The belief that the
vineyard is the key to a great wine is at the core of Walnut Block. Labor
intensive vineyard methods produce consistent, exceptional fruit quality; the
use of traditional winemaking techniques and attention to preserving delicate
flavors & aromas. The commitment to organic viticulture has seen continual
development in the flavor and mouthfeel of the wines as the vines become more
self-sufficient and naturally balanced.”
Among
the vines stands the region’s oldest walnut tree, and to pay homage, the
Collectables label depicts an adaptation of the 1898 Kiwi New Zealand stamp.
Both the planting of the tree and the release of the stamp occurred over 100
years ago and celebrate the unique Kiwi history and roots of Walnut Block. They
control the yield through shoot thinning. Grapes are harvested during the cool
of night to maintain freshness and flavors. The grapes are de-stemmed and
pressed, then slowly fermented in stainless steel tanks at a cool temperature
using carefully selected yeast. Extended yeast and lees contact adds weight and
texture to the plate for this wine.
The freshness of Sauvignon Blanc’s flavor lends it to a range of light,
summery dishes including salad, seafood and mild Asian cuisine. Sauvignon Blanc
works well at the table with notoriously difficult foods like artichokes or
asparagus.
The 2017 Kung Fu Girl Riesling out of the Ancient Lakes appellation of Washington State is the brainchild of Charles Smith. One night, Charles was eating Chinese takeout and watching a fight scene in a notorious martial arts film when he had an idea: a killer white wine made to be paired with Asian food. Just like that, Kung Fu Girl was born.
This wine is 100% Riesling and has been described by Robert
Parker’s Wine Advocate as, “Juicy and lively, with lots citrus blossom, lychee
and a touch of lime… [this Riesling] is medium-bodied, vibrant and crisp
on the palate, with terrific purity, integrated acidity and a great finish.”
This Charles Smith wine see 2 months in the barrel on lees to round out
this great summer sipper. The vineyard
is owned by the Milbrandt’s. Evergreen
Vineyard was planted in 1998 by Jerry Milbrandt, the vineyard rows lie along a
stretch of steep cliffs above the Columbia River in the Ancient Lakes AVA. A cooler site due to river influence, the
nitrogen-poor soils are composed of fragmented basalt, gravel silt, and caliche
deposited during ice age floods. This site produces fruit with sublime mineral
character and great acidity, a balance that winemakers are glad to exploit.
As it was envisioned, this wine goes great with spicy ramen, Sriracha
pork tacos, and freshly shucked oysters.
Responsible for some of Washington’s most highly acclaimed wines, the Walla Walla Valley has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years and is home to both historic wineries and younger, up-and-coming producers. The Walla Walla Valley, a Native American name meaning “many waters,” is located in southeastern Washington; part of the appellation actually extends
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Tiny and entirely composed of craggy, jagged and deeply terraced vineyards, Priorat is a Catalan wine-producing region that was virtually abandoned until the early 1990s. This Spanish wine’s renaissance came with the arrival of one man, René Barbier, who recognized the region’s forgotten potential. He banded with five friends to create five “Clos” in the
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The Crane Assembly was founded in 2012 by friends Dave Phinney, Darryl Browman, Kevin A. Fox, and Byran Sandoli when they purchased one of Napa Valley’s historic viticultural landmarks. An eight-acre vineyard that was planted by the famous Dr. George Beldon Crane. Located in the gravel rich soils of southern St. Helena, it is believed
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