Brooklyn Winery: Urban Wine Producer

While a spirit of “Why not?” and restless creativity may have led them to begin planting a “vineyard” on their rooftop, the fruit for the wines produced at Brooklyn Winery by winemaker Conor McCormack and his team isn’t grown within the Five Boroughs. Partially through Conor’s experience on the winemaking scene of Northern California and partially as a result of seeking out local sources of high-quality grapes, Brooklyn Winery has established connections with a variety of excellent grape growers in California (Napa, Sonoma, Carneros, Lodi) and both the Finger Lakes and Long Island here in New York. It is from these vineyards in prime wine-growing regions that Brooklyn Winery crafts their small-production wines, and as soon as harvest rolls around, what was during the rest of the year an event space hosting everything from weddings to screenings of television shows instantly turns back into a state of the art winemaking facility.

In addition to the delicious 2011 Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes, we’re also happy to offer a 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi, California. With most of their wines Brooklyn Winery leans more toward elegance and restraint, but with Zinfandel their motto can be summed up as “Go Big or Go Home.” Made from the fruit of fifty-year-old vines with extremely low yields, this is the very picture of rich, spicy Zinfandel with big, bold flavors and an undeniably Californian style. To help more of you acquaint yourselves with Brooklyn Winery, in addition to the special pricing for the Pick of the Month Dry Riesling, we’ll be offering a 10% discount on all bottles of the Old Vine Zinfandel through the end of May as well.

This article was originally published on the Millesima Fine Wine Blog at: Brooklyn Winery: Urban Wine Producer.

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Bordeaux Futures from Pomerol 2012: Chateau Clinet, Chateau Rouget and Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande

The Pomerol 2012 vintage has been hailed by critics as a huge sucess.  Chateau Clinet, Chateau Rouget and Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande released their 2012 offers today.

Chateau Clinet

Robert Parker : 92-94+

Located in the heart of Pomerol, Chateau Clinet and its famous gravel plots are home to one of the greatest terroirs for Merlots, and as such, is greatly praised. This non-typical wine possesses fine and complex aromas of red fruits, blackberries and truffles that are both elegant and intense, combining an elegance and intensity that are recognized today as one of the most prestigious wines in the world.

Chateau Rouget

Robert Parker : 90-93

Chateau Rouget is located in the Right Bank appellation of Pomerol.  The terroir of Chateau Roget is exceptional, and typical of its appellation: clay-gravel dominated.  The estate has undergone significant renovation over the past 20 years and its now planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the two varieties that fit perfectly to the soils of the vineyard.  Chateau Roget harvests their grapes as late as possible, seeking perfect ripeness and expressive fruit.

Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande

Robert Parker : 88-90

Situated in the Medoc appellation of Saint-Estpèhe, Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande was classified as a Cru Bourgeois in 2003 and is owned today by the Bouyges brothers.  Encompassing 18 hectares of vines resting on gravel outcrops overlooking the Gironde Estuary, the estate is planted with the traditional varieties of the Medoc: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande produces complex and aromatic wines, with notes of flowers and fruit. This Cru Bourgeois is particularly known for retaining freshness of fruit with age.

This article was originally published on the Millesima Fine Wine Blog at: Bordeaux Futures 2012: new Pomerol 2012 releases.

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Bordeaux Futures 2012 releases: Chateau d’Issan and Chateau Beychevelle

Two legendary Medoc chateaux, Chateau d’Issan and Chateau Beychevelle released their 2012 prices for Bordeaux Futures.

Chateau d’Issan – Margaux – price decrease of 13% from 2011

“For the table of Kings and the altar of Gods”, is the motto of the historic Chateau d’Issan. This wine was served at the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet in 1152 and was also a favourite wine in the court of Emperor Franz Joseph, centuries later. The vineyard is located in the heart of the Margaux appellation with a beautiful gravel terroir rich in pebbles, resulting in a wine replete with finesse and elegance. Expressing the exquisite bouquet characteristic of Margaux, it is distinguished by a flexibility, charm and finesse that are specific to its terroir.

Second Wine: Blason d’Issan

Chateau Beychevelle – Saint Julien – price decrease of 11% from 2011

According to legend, ships sailing by Chateau Beychevelle, known as “the Versailles of the Medoc,” would lower their sails to the level of the Chateau in respect of its owner, the Duke of Epernon, Grand Admiral of France. Thus the chateau was named “Beychevelle”, meaning “Baisse Voile” or “lower the sails.” Extending over 90 hectares, the vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with small quantities of Petit Verdot. Beychevelle wines are supple and perfectly balanced; expressing with elegance the terroir of Saint-Julien in the purest respect for tradition.

This article was originally published on the Millesima Fine Wine Blog at: Bordeaux Futures 2012: Chateau d’Issan and Chateau Beychevelle.

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Bordeaux Futures 2012 releases: Chateau d’Issan and Chateau Beychevelle

Today, two historic Medoc chateaux, Chateau d’Issan and Chateau Beychevelle released their Bordeaux futures 2012 prices.

Chateau d’Issan – Margaux – price decrease of 13% from 2011

“For the table of Kings and the altar of Gods”, is the motto of the historic Chateau d’Issan. This wine was served at the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet in 1152 and was also a favourite wine in the court of Emperor Franz Joseph, centuries later. The vineyard is located in the heart of the Margaux appellation with a beautiful gravel terroir rich in pebbles, resulting in a wine replete with finesse and elegance. Expressing the exquisite bouquet characteristic of Margaux, it is distinguished by a flexibility, charm and finesse that are specific to its terroir.

Second Wine: Blason d’Issan

Chateau Beychevelle – Saint Julien – price decrease of 11% from 2011

According to legend, ships sailing by Chateau Beychevelle, known as “the Versailles of the Medoc,” would lower their sails to the level of the Chateau in respect of its owner, the Duke of Epernon, Grand Admiral of France. Thus the chateau was named “Beychevelle”, meaning “Baisse Voile” or “lower the sails.” Extending over 90 hectares, the vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with small quantities of Petit Verdot. Beychevelle wines are supple and perfectly balanced; expressing with elegance the terroir of Saint-Julien in the purest respect for tradition.

This article was originally published on the Millesima Fine Wine Blog at: Bordeaux Futures 2012 releases: Chateau d’Issan and Chateau Beychevelle.

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Bordeaux Futures 2012: Chateau Gloria, Chateau Branaire-Ducru, Chateau Fieuzal and Chateau Faugères

The Bordeaux Futures 2012 campaign accellerates with new releases this week from the appellations of Saint-Julien, Pessac-Leognan and Saint-Emilion.

Chateau Gloria – Saint-Julien

Chateau Gloria is the creation of one man, Henri Martin, who with passion created a 50 hectare vineyard over the course of several decades through the acquisition of parcels exclusively from Grands Crus classified in 1855. Today, the vineyard is renowned and carries within it the terroir and grape varieties typical of Saint-Julien. Manual harvesting and traditional winemaking wine produce powerful wines that are faithful year after year, expressing a fruit character and silky palate with success.

Robert Parker : 87-89

Decanter : 17/20pts (90/100pts)

Chateau Branaire-Ducru – Saint-Julien

Enthusiastic and ambitious, Patrick Maroteau has not ceased his efforts to raise the Chateau Branaire-Ducru to perfection with the objective of restoring the wine of this exceptional terroir since he purchased it in 1988. Consisting of 50 hectares in Saint-Julien, the Chateau takes its named from a Mr. Braneyre who owned the estate in 1680. Unique soils give Branaire-Ducru wines their typicity and, with other prestigious neighbours, form an appellation recognized worldwide. Chateau Branaire-Ducru’s reputation has been confirmed since it was ranked as a Fourth Growth in the Classification of 1855.

Robert Parker : 88-90

Decanter : 18.25/20pts (94/100pts)

Chateau de Fieuzal – Pessac-Leognan

Located in the heart of the appellation of Pessac-Leognan, Chateau de Fieuzal takes its name from the family it belonged to until the mid-19th century. Today, the property is renown for the elegance of its white wine and the opulence of its reds. De Fieuzal’s 75 hectare of vineyards, resting on beautiful gravel soils, are planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot for its red wine and 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon for its white wine. Chateau de Fiezal takes care that all work in the vineyard and the cellar is done meticulously and traditionally.

Robert Parker : 89-91

Decanter : 16/20pts (86/100pts)

Chateau de Fieuzal White 2012

Robert Parker : 92-94

Decanter : 16.5/20pts (88/100pts)

Chateau Faugères – Saint-Emilion

Situated in the appellation of Saint-Emilion, Chateau Faugères extends over 37 hectares of vineyards. Chateau Faugère vineyards are planted with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and are cultivated using natural sustainable agriculture techniques. Owner Silvio Denz recently constructed a new state of the art winery designed by architect Mario Botta who collaborated with Michel Rolland to ensure optimization for winemaking. Chateau Faugères wines are aromatic with an expressive fruity character.

This article was originally published on the Millesima Fine Wine Blog at: Bordeaux Futures 2012: Gloria, Branaire-Ducru, Fieuzal and Faugères.

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Bordeaux Futures 2012 New Releases Leoville Barton and Pichon-Lalande

Leoville Barton of Saint-Julien and the two Pichon estates from Pauillac have released their Bordeaux Futures 2012 prices.

After a slow first week of May due to a few French National Holidays, the Bordeaux Futures 2012 campaign is back in full swing, continuing with three historic chateaux releasing their 2012 offers.

Chateau Leoville Barton – Saint-Julien

Considered one of the best of Saint-Julien, Second Growth Chateau Leoville Barton extends over 50 hectares of exceptional sandy-clay soil vineyards located in the eastern part of the appellation. Leoville Barton has been in the Barton family since 1820’s with Anthony Barton leading the Chateau since the 1980’s, reaffirming its reputation for quality.  A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, Leoville Barton wines are generous and powerful while possessing an irresistible elegance and expressing an incredible finesse.

Tight, with an iron spine driving through the red currant, steeped cherry and blackberry core. The toast emerges on the finish, showing well-integrated briary grip. Features solid stuffing for the vintage. —J.M.

Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande – Pauillac

The famous Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, “Pichon-Lalande” as it is referred to colloquially, comes from the same domain as “Pichon Baron.” Beyond their geographical proximity, they are distinguished by their strong personality. Pichon-Lalande has a soft, fleshy and tender character that can sometimes make it seem to be a more feminine wine. Straddling the Saint-Julien river, Pichon-Lalande vineyards are planted with 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Now owned by Champagne house Louis Roederer, Pichon Comtesse de Lalande remains a noble and prestigious Second Growth.

Juicy and forward in feel, with a core of red currant and cherry paste, backed by notes of savory, plum skin and roasted vanilla bean that steadily emerge through the finish. Gains weight with aeration, displaying a more rounded feel than most of this vintage’s Pauillacs. —J.M.

This article was originally published on the Millesima Fine Wine Blog at: Bordeaux Futures 2012: Leoville Barton and Pichon Comtesse de Lalande.

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