TANTALUS 2019 BLANC DE BLANCS

EAST KELOWNA, B.C.

This is the first time EVER that the Tantalus Blanc de Blancs has made its way to Alberta, and it’s only available at Bricks Wine Co.!

I am so SO excited to be able to share this wine with you! Our long-standing BRICKS 6 members will know that my love for Tantalus runs very, very deep!

But this is something else!!!

This Blanc de Blancs, meaning white from white, is made with 100% Chardonnay from a single block that was picked on September 3rd ‘19. The base wine was fermented in a selection of seasoned puncheons and barrique barrels and aged on fermentation lees until May of ‘20. The wine underwent secondary fermentation in bottle and was aged for 22 months on secondary lees. Disgorgement took place in March of 2022 with the addition of a 4 g/L dosage of their still ‘19 Chardonnay.

On the nose you’ll find candied lemon peel, orange blossom and pie crust. The palate is lean and focused with flavours of tangerine, a touch of grapefruit, green apple and a hint of flint. It’s elegant and has concentration and length for days.

DOMAINE DE LA ROSIÈRE 2020 JONGIEUX BLANC

SAVOIE, FRANCE

Domaine de la Rosière is located in the village of Jongieux, which is the largest of the 17 appellations in the Savoie region, in the beginnings of the French Alps. It’s situated close to Lac du Bourget, France’s largest lake, about 70 kms southwest of Geneva, Switzerland. The estate dates back to the late 19th century and is now helmed by Eric Carrel, who employs sustainable farming practices.

This wine is made with 100% Jacquère (also known as Rousette), which is native to Savoie.

Wine writer Hugh Johnson is said to have described the varietal by saying that it’s like “you are drinking bottled mountain air”.

The grapes are harvested by hand and then fermented in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to retain the grapes natural delicacy and freshness.

Aromas of alpine meadows and sliced Granny Smith apple leap from the glass where they’re met with flavours of ripe pears and lemon zest. This wine is easy, honest and dangerously crushable!

LUNEAU PAPIN 2020 FOLLE BLANCHE

LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

Domaine Luneau Papin, formerly known as Domaine Pierre de la Grange before Pierre Luneau married Monique Papin of Domaine Papin and combined estates, has been in existence since the early 18th century.

Today Pierre-Marie Luneau & his wife Marie-Chartier continue the family tradition of championing single-vineyard, terroir-driven, ageable Muscadet (which must be made using exclusively Melon de Bourgogne;) but they also make this absolutely incredible Folle Blanche! This is also the only wine they make that sees any oak, albeit it isn’t heavy handed in the slightest. The wine is aged in a combination of neutral French oak and underground glass tiled vats, for about six months.

Picpoul is a common synonym for Folle Blanche and literally translates to “lip stinger”, a reference to the natural acidity the grapes have.

 The nose and the palate are pretty harmonious here with notes of lime, underripe peaches, Honeydew and honey. You’ll find it’s rounded out with a touch of salinity on the finish.

BONNY DOON 2021 LE CIGARE ORANGE

CENTRAL COAST, CALIFORNIA

Bonny Doon Vineyard began with the (in retrospect) foolish attempt to replicate Burgundy in California. Proprietor/winemaker Randall Grahm realized early on though, that he would have much greater success working with Rhône varietals. In 1986 Bonny Doon Vineyard released the inaugural vintage (‘84) of Le Cigare Volant, an homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and this continues as the winery’s flagship/starship wine.

This however, is their very first orange (skin contact) wine and it might very well be the most approachable orange wine I’ve ever tasted! It’s a blend of 40% Grenache Gris, 40% Grenache Blanc, 10% Grenache Noir & 10% Orange Muscat. The grapes spend about 12-15 days total in contact with the skins, before being pressed into stainless steel tanks.

The resulting wine is not only a beautiful shade of orange, but it smells and tastes of all things orange too… apricot, tangerine, ripe peach, apricot, blood orange, orange marmalade… plus hints of almond, cardamom and fresh ginger.

CIRELLI LA COLLINA BIOLOGICA 2020 ROSATO

ABRUZZO, ITALY

As a child, Francesco Cirelli spent his summers with his grandparents, in Abruzzo’s countryside. Some of his fondest memories are from this time, like when his grandfather gently placed a fuzzy chick in his hand or when he first sat on his grandfather’s tractor, imagining making his way through the fields on it. So, in 2003, while longing for a simpler lifestyle, Francesco & his wife Michela moved to Abruzzo where they now run a well-rounded, 22-hectare, organic farm with vineyards, olive trees, grain, fruits & vegetables and farm animals, including of course, chicks! 

“While making the wine, I imagine I am brewing a magic potion. An antidote to sadness, a balm for old wounds, a drink that does not make you forget, but forgive. An existential statement. A message of my unconditional love.” – Francesco Cirelli

Made from 100% Montepulciano, you’ll find strawberry, cherry and watermelon on both the nose and the palate, but it finishes with a savory edge that’s reminiscent of balsamic and fresh herbs, with soft tannins offering a gentle grip.

DELINQUENTE WINE CO. 2021 ROXANNE THE RAZOR

RIVERLAND, AUSTRALIA

Oh Roxanne! How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways!

I’ve totally and completely fallen for this gorgeous, light bodied red! Although I’m not convinced that I love the label. Someone pointed out that she kinda looks like a tattooed version of Grace Jones though, so I like that… But I digress…

This Australian wine is made using two Italian grape varietals. 90% of the wine is Negroamaro, a grape native to the Pulgia region and the final 10% is Nero D'Avola, a grape native to Sicily.

The two varieties were picked early and fermented separately, then blended prior to bottling.

We’re starting to see a lot of Italian varietals being grown in Australia thanks to its warm (and sadly getting warmer) climate.

This is light and moreish; it tastes like grape Jolly Ranchers without the sugar, black cherries and perfectly ripe, crunchy raspberries that have been dusted with freshly cracked black pepper and baking spice.

Serve chilled, like fridge cold!