CHÂTEAU TOUR DES GENDRES 2017 PÉTILLANT NATUREL

BERGERAC, FRANCE

Château Tour des Gendres is a household name and is found on virtually every fine wine-list in France, yet it’s little-known in North America. The de Conti family has run the farm here since the early 1900s, but only in 1986 did Luc de Conti and his brother, Jean, decide to plant the vineyard and embark on a new adventure of viticulture and winemaking. In 1994, they became the first in the region to move away from pesticides and chemicals and turn to 100% organic farming.

It's no secret that I LOVE Pet-Nat (aka Ancestral Method), in fact, this isn’t even the first one that’s made an appearance in the BRICKS 6!

This particular gem is made from 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Chenin Blanc, it’s got fine, creamy bubbles and is bursting with flavor. Aromas of brioche, Granny Smith apples and fresh pressed guava juice jump from the glass. The palate is intense and echoes the notes from the nose with super fresh acidity. This bottle of bubbles is dangerously crushable!

THE OTHER WINE CO. 2016 PINOT GRIS

ADELAIDE HILLS, AUSTRALIA

The Other Wine Co. is a new venture from Michael Hill Smith and Martin Shaw, the team behind Shaw + Smith wines based in the Adelaide Hills. The wines for this project are 'other' because they give the winemakers the opportunity to make wines from varieties and/or regions that fall outside of Shaw + Smith's rigorous definition. Stylistically, the wines avoid over-ripeness, oak and power in preference to freshness, balance and overall drinkability. These are made to drink and enjoy. That's it!

This wine is the perfect example of the style that Michael and Martin are looking to achieve, it’s balanced and fresh with aromas of white flowers, lemons, limes, and Asian pear. In the mouth the wine is lively and textural, with a hint of salinity and more of that gorgeous Asian pear from the nose. There are also flavours of white peach, wild flower honey with just a tiny touch of ginger that lingers on the rather long finish.

FABIEN JOUVES 2017 TU VINS PLUS AUX SOIRÉES

CAHORS, FRANCE

Fabien Jouves makes beautiful, biodynamically farmed, natural wines in France’s South West region of Cahors. In order to use the Cahors AOC though, the wines must be made predominantly from Malbec, aka Côt, as the locals call it. Fabien labels these serious wines under his Mas Del Périé label.

Fabien also appreciates wines made to quench your thirst though, and for that reason, he also has a line of well, “Thirst Quenching Wines.” He doesn’t care about appellation laws here and his wines fall into the Vins de Soif or Vins de France (table wine) category. Fabien doesn’t care though, and neither do we …delicious wine is delicious wine, regardless of what’s on the label.

“Tu Vins Plus Aux Soirées” translates roughly to “More Wine in the Evening” and is a blend of Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Fabien loves Cabernet Franc even though it’s essentially been outlawed here.

This wine is juicy with notes of black cherry and pomegranate with a hint of baking spice on the finish. Decant this wine for at least 30 minutes to let it really open up.

RENATO RATTI 2016 BATTAGLIONE BARBERA D’ASTI

PIEDMONT, ITALY

Barbera = the grape variety.

D’Asti = from the city of Asti.

Named after their founder, Renato Ratti is synonymous with high quality, single vineyard Barolo. Renato is celebrated as the great visionary of Barolo, he drew the first map of the zone’s vineyards, was among the first to pioneer single vineyard wines and helped transform winemaking in the zone. His innovations helped bring in a modern era throughout the region that emphasizes finesse and the personality of the vineyards.

While I covet Barolo for its cellar-worthiness, I can’t help but gravitate toward Barbera when I’m looking for something a bit more approachable and budget friendly.

This particular Barbera totally over delivers for the price point too. On the nose, notes of violets and vanilla jumpy from the glass, followed by a punch of blackberries, currants and plums. The palate is complex with bright acidity but rich with flavours of dried strawberries, nutmeg, cloves and graphite.  

SAVAGE WINES 2016 RED

WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

I’m so excited to include this wine in the December BRICKS 6! Initially we received just 6 bottles and that was it. Of course, I fell in love with this wine and then it was gone. Then out of the blue, the importer contacted me saying he could offer me more – not much, but just enough for BRICKS 6! I hope you enjoy!!!

Savage Wines is the solo project from Duncan Savage, who left his position of 14 years as head winemaker at the acclaimed Cape Point Vineyards, in Cape Town.

This blend of 81% Syrah, 11% Grenache & 8% Cinsault is simply called “Red”, but there is nothing simple about it. The grapes were hand harvested from high altitude, coastal vineyards. This wine is beautifully opulent, on the nose there are aromas of dried sage, lavender, leather, tobacco and cured meats – think bresaola. The palate is forward with velvety tannins, plush notes of blackberries and blueberries are highlighted with bright, cheerful notes of tart cranberry and freshly cracked

black peppercorns.

CHÂTEAU LE PUY 2014 EMILIEN

BORDEAUX, FRANCE

“1917. France is at war. Battles are raging along the Front and the French are tired and worried. In the countryside, women take on the work of the men alongside their own because the vine continues to grow regardless of the noise of the canons.

Far from these sufferings… at Château le Puy, hidden away near the hillsides of Pomerol and St-Emilion, life is peaceful.”

The paragraph above is taken from a booklet that is included in each case of Chateau Le Puy. There is so much I want to include about this amazing estate, but I don’t have the room, so I’ve included an additional document with an article from Decanter Magazine.

This comes from the Right Bank of Bordeaux and is a blend of 85% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec & 1% Carménère. It’s matured in oak barrels and casks for 24 months.

This is still rather young and will benefit from decanting (at least an hour if you have the patience) and is also suitable for cellaring (10+ years). The nose and palate are harmonious with notes of bramble and red cherry, there is a distinct earthiness too - cigar box, cedar, mushroom and touch of cola.

-Erin Loader