2017: Year in Review

As 2017 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on all the people, events, and especially wines, that made it such a momentous year. 

At Vineyard Brands, we feel so fortunate to work with so many talented and and passionate winemakers. These people make wine because it is more than a job- it is their calling. The quality of their wines reflect that.

Red, White, Old World, New World, wines from across our portfolio earned accolades and made Top 100 lists from leading publications. 

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Two Vineyard Brands wines earned spots on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2017.
#19 Marques de Caceres Rioja Reserva 2012: 
“Black cherry, currant and floral notes are expressive and alluring, balanced by loamy earth, tobacco and mineral elements that add a savory quality. Firm, well-integrated tannins give support to the polished texture, while orange peel acidity fuels the fresh finish. Drink now through 2027.” 93 points

#26 Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2015:
“This vibrant and mouthwatering white shows green apple, Meyer lemon and dried pineapple flavors that are fresh and juicy. Lemon verbena and lime sherbet notes reverberate on the long, detailed finish. Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. Drink now.” 93 points

Famille Perrin’s Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 was recognized as one of James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines of 2017.
"All 13 grapes. This has a dark fruited, blueberry and blue plum nose with wide swinging tannins. Some white peppery elements, violets, brooding dark spices, blue fruits and dark plums. Builds from the ground up. Dark stones. Impressive, powerful. wine. Drink from 2025." 97 points

Wine Enthusiast named wine from both Champagne Salon (with a perfect score of 100!) and Massolino to their Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2017.
#11 Champagne Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil 2006: 
"This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne in s perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint as developing tastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020." 100 points

#25 Massolino Barolo Parafada 2013:
"...The full-bodied palate shows great energy and intensity, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, ripe cranberry, white pepper and clove framed in youthfully assertive, refined tannins and bright acidity..." 97 points

Wine Enthusiast also named Les Frères Couillaud Château de la Ragotière Sélection Vieilles Vignes Sur Lie (Muscade Sèvre et Maine) as #72 on their Top 100 of 2017.
"Old vines, up to 60 years old, are the basis of this concentrated, ripe and intense wine. it is impressive and tightly wound, with layers of rich citrus fruit and a chalky texture. This is still a little young, so drink from 2018."

International Wine Report’s Top 100 of 2017 featured two more Vineyard Brands wines-
#66 Laurent Tribut Côte de Lechet 2015 and #100 is Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2016.

August Kesseler Riesling R was named to the Wine Spectator 100 Top Values of 2017. 
"This is redolent of fresh-cut Fuji apple, with notes of ripe melon and kiwifruit that are crunchy and well-spiced." 89 points

Decanter's list of the most exciting wines of 2017 included two wines from the Vineyard Brands portfolio, one from Warre's and one from Louis Michel & Fils. 
#14 Warre's Bottle Aged Late Bottled Vintage Port 2004:
"Vivids damsons and blackcurrants with liniment and spice, giving a luxuriously sweet, soft mouthful. The rich chocolate notes are kept in check by ripe enveloping tannins, beautifully integrated wood and fresh acidity."

#44 Louis Michel & Fils Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2015:
"A delicate herbal and lemony style with crisp apple and a mineral mint character to the fore. Vibrant and vivid yet maintains a lean, restrained nature. Lots of persistence, so more complexity will come."

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In addition to these Top 100 lists, Vineyard Brands wines were lauded in many other ways.

Gradis’ciutta was awarded Gold Medals from Gilbert and Gaillard Wine Guide for the Bratinis DOC COLLIO 2015 and Cabernet Franc DOC COLLIO 2015.

Platter’s by Diners Club International awarded five stars to wines from Stark-Condé, Boekenhoutskloof, Chamonix, and Constantia Glen. (The full list is here)

The Daily Meal named Tablas Creek Vineyard #2 on their list of the 101 Best Wineries in America. 

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Some of our winemakers themselves were recognized for their tremendous work.

Berene Sauls & Tesselaarsdal Wines Pty Ltd won Top Female Entrepreneur in the Agro-processing category as well as the Ministral Award hosted by the Department of Agriculture Western Cape.

Alejandro “Colo” Sejanovich of TintoNegro was named one of the Top 10 Winemakers of South America by Decanter.

Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard won Wine Industry Person of the Year by San Luis Obispo County wine industry. 

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Finally, we were honored to be a nominee for Importer of the Year for the prestigious Wine Enthusiast 2017 Wine Star Awards. 

...oh and the French national team celebrated earning their spot at the FIFA World Cup with a bottle of Champagne Delamotte. 

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2017 has been a year to remember. Thanks to all of you for making our wines a part of your life. We'll leave you with two toasts to the New Year and see you in 2018!

"In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want."

"Here's a toast to the future, a toast to the past, and a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant, the past a bright dream; may our friend remain faithful and dear."

Harvest | Vendanges | Vendemmia |Traubenernte

Early fall is the busiest and most important time of the year for wineries in the Northern Hemisphere- Harvest season. Long hours and intensive labor consume each and every member of the winemaking team. 

There is so much that goes into a bottle of wine that the consumer never sees. Take a peek behind the curtain and explore harvest season at a few Vineyard Brands wineries around the world. 

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FRANCE

Domaine de Courcel: A 400 year old family owned winery, located in the village of Pommard on the Côte d'Or, about four kilometers south-east of Beaune. 

Domaine Weinbach: Located at the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill in Alsace, this family owned winery is run by Catherine Faller and her son, Théo. 

Les Alexandrins:  Located in the Northern Rhône Valley, Domaine & Maison Les Alexandrins is a collaboration among Nicolas Jaboulet, Guillaume Sorrel, and Alexandre Paso. 

Clos Triguedina: Found in southwestern France, Clos Triguedina is currently led by Jean Luc Baldes. 

Thibault Liger-Belair: Located in Nuits-St.-Georges, in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy, the domaine has been in the Liger-Belair family for 250 years.

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ITALY

Massolino: Located in northern Italy in the Piedmont region, the Massolino estate was founded in 1896. 

Gradis'ciutta:  Driven by Robert Princic, Gradis'ciutta is located in northern Italy and before carrying the name Gradis’ciutta, this place was known as Monsvini, which in Latin means “Mount of Wine.”

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GERMANY

August Kesseler: Situated in the Assmannshausen in the Rheingau region, the wine estate of August Kesseler consists of vineyard sites in Lorch (for Riesling and Silvaner wines), on the slopes of the hills around Rüdesheim and in the area called “Assmanshäuser Höllenberg.”

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UNITED STATES

Tablas Creek Vineyard: West of Paso Robles, on California's Central Coast, Tablas Creek is named after the small creek running through the property and the the 120-acre site sits twelve miles from the Pacific Ocean. You can find more detailed harvest updates on their blog.

Pink & Provençal

Like we've written about before, rosé has become a staple in wine racks and on wine lists across the world. One of the reasons it is so popular is its versatility. Rosé finds itself somewhere in the middle between red wine and white wine. 

Mark Oldman said it best: 
"To achieve rosé nirvana, follow my 'Rosé Rule of P': serve it with anyting pink–lobster, shrimp, ham, pork–or anything Provençal–such as bouillabaisse, salade Nicoise, or grilled sardines"

We've rounded up a few recipes for you- both pink and Provençal- and a few of our favorite rosés- also pink and (mostly) Provençal. 

Thai Chicken and Watermelon salad

Fresh red berry and orange pith aromas of the La Vieille Ferme Rosé pair nicely with the chicken and pucker salad dressing-- plus what's could be more summer than watermelon and rosé?
Photo: Food & Wine

Crisp Tomato, Zucchini, Eggplant and Bread Gratin

This August Kesseler Rosé made from Pinot Noir works well with the juicy tomatoes and late-summer vegetables of the gratin. 
Photo: Photo: Food & Wine

Strawberry, Balsamic, and Goat Cheese Salad

Another classic spring and summer combination- strawberries and rosé. This light, refreshing salad works is the perfect lunch with a glass of well-balanced, elegant Miraval. 
Photo: Sweet Paul Magazine

Salmon Niçoise Pasta Salad

A twist on the classic French Niçoise salad, this salmon Niçoise pasta salad would be perfect for a picnic with a bottle of Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé.
Photo: Coastal Living

Best-ever Chocolate Raspberry Brownies

Finally, who doesn't love a little bubbly? Try these chocolate raspberry brownies with this Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé from Domaine Michel Briday.

Tablas Creek Wine Dinner at OvenBird

There are many reasons I take pride in calling Birmingham, Alabama my home: the people, the city, the southern vibe, but mainly… the FOOD.

I recently had the opportunity to enjoy a six course wine dinner alongside Greg Doody, Vineyard Brand's president and CEO, at one of Birmingham’s greatest gems: OvenBird. If you’ve never dined at OvenBird… I feel sorry for you. So deeply, terribly sorry. Dramatic? Maybe. Truthful? Absolutely.

Anyone involved with or interested in the Alabama food scene will tell you that Chef Chris Hastings is a local (and national) food legend. I mean, the guy took down Bobby Flay on Iron Chef...

#Winning… Literally.

Chris is owner of Hot & Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, and now OvenBird at Pepper Place. The food, atmosphere and service all exceeded my expectations. Paired with each delectable dish was an elegant wine from Tablas Creek Vineyard, and judging by the reactions, comments and empty glasses around me, it was obvious Tablas Creek did not disappoint one bit.

The first dish was a beef empanada paired with a crisp and refreshing  2015 Patelin de Tablas Rosé.  The rosé offered a rich texture with vibrant flavors. After the thirty seconds it took me to consume this dish, my first thought was, “If this is a foreshadowing of how the rest of the night will go, I don’t want to leave. Can I sleep here?” Unfortunately they close at 11. So no, you can’t.

The second dish was a strawberry and beet salad with goat cheese and benne seed crumble.

UMMM, can I eat this everyday for the rest of my life!?

It was such an interesting flavor combination, yet it worked incredibly well. We’re talkin’ please look away so I can lick the bowl... that kinda incredible.

Paired alongside this dish was the 2014 Patelin de Tablas Blanc. This was also probably my favorite wine of the night. 

I’m not a huge white wine girl. (shocking, right?) I grew up with a dad who drank/drinks cabernet sauvignon religiously; therefore, you will most likely find me with red wine stained lips. BUT YALL. This wine was dangerously good.

The Patelin de Tablas Blanc was lush and supple with exotic flavors in the tradition of a rhone white. I definitely made a mental note to remember this wine.

The third course included charred asparagus, pickled onion, brown butter, almond, and cured duck egg. I didn’t read the description until it had already disappeared from my plate (whoops), but I found it to be the most beautiful presentation of the night and perfect for spring.

To match the asparagus, Tablas Creek Vineyard paired their 2013 Espirit de Tablas Blanc. Asparagus is very difficult to pair with, but the Esprit de Tablas Blanc worked surprisingly well due to its freshness and vitality . It offered a rich, complex texture that needs time to reveal its true essence. 

Course four – bring on the reds. The first red wine of the night, 2013 Patelin de Tablas, was brought out alongside grilled octopus and potatoes. This red wine girl could not have been more pleased. The wine was fresh and lively with a real focus on the fruit. 

 “Excuse me, sir, can you repeat dishes? Can I have this whole combo again  instead of dessert? No? Ok…” – The conversation that went down in my head. 

Dish number five included boudin rouge, arugula, crawfish and a creamy sauce. This was the most hearty dish of the night and was paired with the 2013 Espirit de Tablas Rouge.

In my opinion...

“this wine reveals a deep ruby color to go with lots of kirsch, black cherries, rose petal and underbrush. Full-bodied, nicely concentrated, with solid mid-palate depth and a great texture, it should drink nicely on release and keep for a decade or more.”

..JK that was Robert Parker. Did I fool you?

In all seriousness, the wine was deep and meaty in the true tradition of beaucastel. I couldn’t choose a favorite red between the two, so naturally I decided I’d just take a bottle of both. Why do you do this to me Tablas Creek Vineyard, WHYY!?

Saving the best for last: 2014 Vin de Paille Sacrerouge, beignets, Mahon Cheese with orange marmalade and Pana Cotta with berries.  This wine is a wonderful alternative to a ruby port -- being lush and expansive with a distinct spiciness. 

The fact that Darren Delmore, Tablas Creek Vineyard's national sales manager, brought out a special wine just for the event showed his true passion and care for his consumers. Both Tablas Creek Vineyard and OvenBird ended on a strong note with this final pairing.

Soooo who wants to go back with me!?