Fine Wine Club Archive
Explore your previous cases here in The Archive, with downloadable tasting notes from the winemakers behind your bottles. Plus catch up on live tastings.
Your case & tasting notes - June 2023
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DRG Daryl Groom River Road Ranch Russian River Pinot Noir 2021
Tasting notes:
Ever since I first became a Naked Wines winemaker, I’ve had the strong desire to make you a world class pinot noir that included a blend from various vineyards and a specific vineyard designate - and I knew exactly which vineyard to pick. Trione Vineyards, River Road Ranch.
Country
USA
Region
California
Grape
Pinot noir
Market Price
£34.99
Angel Price
£23.99
DRG Daryl Groom River Road Ranch Russian River Pinot Noir 2021
By Daryl GroomTasting notes: I love this pinot and how rich and structured it is in style. It's not light or whimpy. Having said that, it's still beautiful and alluring to drink. It's soft, round and supple, teasing your taste buds. This vineyard designate pinot has a classic meaty, smokey, salami type funkiness that I love. It’s very much in balance with the red fruits, vanilla and spice in the aroma. After the first sip you are called quickly for another.
Drinking window: No need to decant this wine, it will drink perfectly from the bottle on first opening. On warm or hot days I like to give the wine a slight chill to around 15 degrees.
Serving suggestions: Will easily age for 8 years but I like it best now whilst the fruit aromas are bright and the wine has some youth.
Food pairing: My favorite pairing with pinot noir is pork although I also enjoy it with salmon. One of my favourite pork dishes is a brined and grilled pork chop or a local carnitas taco from the many Mexican restaurants nearby.
Notes from the Winemaker: From 1990 to 1999 I was employed as head winemaker by the well known and well respected Trione Family of Sonoma County. They owned Geyser Peak Winery. They have one of largest premium vineyard holdings in the county stretching from the very cool Russian River Valley to the warmer northern Alexander Valley. I got to know their vineyards very well over this time.
When I became a Naked Wines winemaker I had the desire to make world class pinot noir that included a blend from various vineyards and a specific vineyard designate. I knew just where to go to make the vineyard designate from. Trione Vineyards, River Road Ranch. This picturesque vineyard is on rolling hills in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Russian River appellation is the most recognized and prized area in the United States for growing high quality cool climate grapes. chardonnay and pinot noir are the classic two.
What I love about this vineyard apart from the great micro-climate is that it's planted to 6 different clones of pinot noir in small 3-4 acre lots. I love the individual nuances of all the different clones.
This wine has all "the bells and whistles". 20% whole cluster, 80% crushed. Small open top fermenters. 3 day cold soak. Gentle punch down 3-4 times a day. 100% french oak aging.
The Russian River as a viticultural appellation was first recognized in 1983. It is one of the 19 recognized viticultural areas of Sonoma County. It comprises 15,000 acres of planted vineyards and is home to 70+ wineries. What makes this area so attractive for winemakers seeking high quality wines is its soils and climate. The unique soils were created from volcanic ash deposited in early times. The climate is what is revered and talked about the most amongst winemakers. It's cool but not cold. Warm spring and summer temperatures ripen the grapes during the day as happens in most grape growing areas but what is unique to the Russian River is the evening, nighttime and early morning fog that rolls in from the nearby Pacific Ocean along the Russian River itself, and cools off the grapes overnight. This almost daily pattern delicately ripens the grapes and helps retain grape flavor and acid.
I love making wines from this area. Walking the vineyards and sensing the surroundings is an added pleasure that puts a huge smile on my face.
Stepp Riesling vom Berg Organic 2021
Tasting notes:
Riesling is the signature grape of the Pfalz region – it excels on the slopes along the Rhine Valley with plenty of sunshine hours and a cooler climate.
Country
Germany
Region
Pfalz
Grape
Riesling
Market Price
£20.99
Angel Price
£18.99
Stepp Riesling vom Berg Organic 2021
By Gerd SteppTasting notes: This Riesling vom Berg with its lovely minerality, rich fruity flavour and lively freshness will superbly pair with a wide range of food dishes. It is also a wine to cellar for a few more years to enjoy the wonderful complex flavours of bottle-aged Riesling. It will bring out the fabulous textural qualities of the limestone-rich vineyard and the well-balanced acidity will make sure it maintains its excellent vibrancy and focused style – the Riesling typical petroleum notes will come to the fore as well.
Drinking window: Drink now to 2033.
Serving suggestions: Serve well chilled at 12°.
Food pairing: Pan-fried trout with boiled potatoes and a creamy horseradish sauce with a fresh garden salad.
Notes from the Winemaker: Riesling is the signature grape of the Pfalz region – here it excels on the slopes along the Rhine Valley with plenty of sunshine hours and a cooler climate.
For me Riesling is the perfect white grape variety to define and express a vineyard’s specific terroir characteristics and qualities. So when I was searching for vineyards that have the potential for growing world class Riesling, I found this single vineyard called ‘Berg’ (mountain) in the nearby village of Herxheim am Berg. Here at this special site Riesling finds everything it loves; a southeast facing slope overlooking the Rhine Valley at a high elevation of 220m above sea level. Apart from the hill’s exposition with more sunshine intensity and cooler nights because of the altitude - perhaps the most interesting aspect is the soil composition of loess-loam with plenty of shell limestone (muschelkalk) - in fact so much there is a natural limestone cave beneath the site.
The grapes for the 2021 Riesling vom Berg were grown organically and picked at optimum ripeness early October. As with all my single Crus (single vineyard sites) I take special care in everything from timing of harvest and through the winemaking process. So we did a triage (grape selection) at picking in the vineyard that was followed by a super soft juice extraction from the berries and a slow fermentation at temperature controlled conditions for over two months. I allowed the wine to fully complete the alcoholic fermentation to a dry style with less than 3 grams (per Litre) of residual sugar. The wine then remained on its fine lees (sur lie) for 10 months to enrich its complexity and texture. This gentle and low intervention winemaking meant no fining treatment was needed and I bottled the wine with one filtration in January 2022. After a couple of months in bottle it will be at its best for the next 10+ years!
Francois Haasbroek Vagabond Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Tasting notes:
The source of the grapes I used for this wine is close to my heart. Not only is it where I spent the formative half of my career, but the wines produced here are what originally inspired me to work with grapes grown in rock, on mountainous slopes.
Country
South Africa
Region
Stellenbosch
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon
Market Price
£35.99
Angel Price
£15.99
Francois Haasbroek Vagabond Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
By Francois HaasbroekTasting notes: The vineyard sits on the slopes of the Helderberg, on a cool aspect in a mini amphitheater. Classic in style, it has distinct flavours of shaved lead pencil, cassis and cigar box notes. It’s lean tightly structured with vibrant freshness and ample structure for extended future development.
Drinking window: Drink now to 2030.
Serving suggestions: Decanting is not required, but it would not do any harm.
Food pairing: This wine is partial to a protein pairing, but of late I have found enjoyment in drinking Cabernet slightly chilled with robust salads - I find it stands up well against acidity.
Notes from the Winemaker: The source of the grapes for this wine is close to my heart for several reasons. Firstly it's where I spent the first formative half of my career, and secondly the wines that come from this region are what established my love for wines made of grapes grown in rock, or mountain slopes.
Stellenbosch has several microclimates, but those that make me very excited are the Helderberg, Helshoogte and Jonkershoek areas. They are mountainous, with stark slopes and diverse aspects with a cooling effect from the False Bay. Hence the grapes grown here translate into wines that are linear and classically long-lived. They also have an underlying tension, where a tightly structured backbone is dressed with nuances of fruit instead of being fruit driven; monotone.
In a nutshell, the style of wines coming from these vineyards pose more questions than statements; which will forever be more interesting for me to make and drink than wines that simply shout at you…
Cordero Barbera d'Alba Superiore DOC 2021
Tasting notes:
This Barbera Superiore d’Alba is something that comes from my deepest roots. It was my grandad’s favourite variety and now it’s mine too. It’s probably the most authentic, and one of the oldest grape varieties in Piedmont.
Country
Italy
Region
Piemonte
Grape
Barbera
Market Price
£26.99
Angel Price
£19.99
Cordero Barbera d'Alba Superiore DOC 2021
By Serena CorderoTasting notes: A deep purple red color. The nose is intense with raspberry notes. Flavor rich, mellow and full bodied.
Drinking window: Up to 10 years.
Serving suggestions:16°C. Better decanted for the 10 years old bottles.
Food pairing: We usually pair it with some 'bollito misto' ( = boiled veal meat ) served with some typical piemonte sauce.
Notes from the Winemaker: This Barbera Superiore d’Alba is something that belongs to my deepest roots. It was my grandad’s favourite variety and now it’s also mine. It’s the most authentic, and one of the oldest varieties in the Piedmont countryside.
Because the grape is so rich in sugar, it was historically used to feed the people working the land, as they needed energy. It’s also one of the more complex and rich varieties. I can remember my grandpa savoring his glass of Barbera during meals when I was a child.
We are in Piedmont, North – West Italy, close to the Alps (the name Piemonte means ‘at the feet of the mountains’), at the border with France.
Viticulture and winemaking has always been part of my region’s culture, and the Barbera has always been part of this. The name Barbera probably comes from the medieval latin ‘ Barberus’ meaning ‘impetuous, fearless’ - this is reflected in the personality of the wine which is distinctly strong and vibrant.
The Barbera requires deep and structured soils, that’s why the vines are planted in a red clay soil, with a South-West sun exposure. This allows the grapes to reach complete ripening, increasing all the polyphenol compounds that create the intense and deep colour of the Barbera.
Piedmont’s wine-growing area is composed of hills, and that’s super important because it delivers the vineyards the best sun exposure. These hills are 350 m.a.s.l. high and during the summer time/ beginning of September there is a good thermal excursion day/night, perfect for the ripening of all the aroma compounds.
The harvest is usually around mid-September but with the increasing global warming during the last few years, we are obliged to pick the grapes earlier and earlier.
Once in the cellar, the grapes are crushed and fermented for 15 days and, according to the quality of the grapes and their skin, we extend the skin contact up to 40-50 days. After this the wine is ready to rest for 6-8 months into french oak barrels. Only then is it ready to be bottled.
I personally created this label. I wanted to represent one of the most powerful moments of the year - the period of the Autumn, where nature expresses itself with its changing colours. The forest shows us all of her colours, from the green to the autumn orange. And watching over all this with her gentle light, is the moon.
Villion White Merlot 2022
Tasting notes:
This wine was born in 2014 when a German importer challenged me to make a white merlot. At the time, I only knew how to make rosé/blanc de noirs out of red grapes, and was intrigued by the idea.
Country
South Africa
Region
Grape
Merlot
Market Price
£17.99
Angel Price
£15.99
Villion White Merlot 2022
By Kobie & FaisalTasting notes: A nose unlike anything I have smelled in a wine before. Custard apple, blossom, some peach, buttery popcorn, some vanilla. Plenty of lemon led citrus. Palate follows on perfectly. Delicate fruit. Perhaps a little more 'conventional' than the nose. Lemon, sweet apple, pear, some mandarin, blossom, meely texture, pastry, some apricot, white almond. Offers on many levels. Long lasting.
Drinking window: This wine can easily handle maturation. Colour will slowly evolve into more copper and then later on to gold. But the longevity of the palate will carry it for 8 – 12 years from vintage without any disappointment. Preferably store at a temperature of 13-16 °C.
Serving suggestions: Ideally the serving temperature close to 10 °C. The larger the bowl, the better the wine's aromas and flavours will be able to aerate and express themselves. An ideal serving is half the size of the wine glass. Filling the glass just below the widest section. This allows the wine to breathe, further accentuating its aromas and flavours.
Food pairing: A stew we make here in the Cape called “Waterblommetjie bredie” – this translates to “Water flower stew” – but the flower grows naturally within the dams in the Cape.
Notes from the Winemaker: The origin of this wine was born out of a dare/challenge. Back in 2014, when Elnette and I decided to establish Villion Family Wines. A German importer challenged me to make a white Merlot. In Switzerland he drank a white Merlot which was very popular and being in the German trade he thought that it would be a nice wine to add to his portfolio.
At the time I only know how to make Rose/Blanc de Noir out of red grapes, and was intrigued by how it would be possible to make a white wine with a variety like Merlot. I told him I would give it a go and make one 300 litre barrel - if he liked it he would import the wine. He agreed.
One of my great friends is a real Merlot-head, so I went to him for advice… I did not get the support I was looking for (should have known). However, I did get hold of excellent fruit with his help - from a beautiful, low cropping vineyard in the foothills of the Houwhoek Mountains, overlooking the Walker Bay, Atlantic Ocean side. The only plot of lay, coffee stone derived soils amongst plots of Table Mountain sandstone soils. The age of the vines was 11 years old.
The fruit was picked by hand; we crushed the fruit and when the first fruit went into the fermentation vessel we were starting to drain as much of the clear pinkish juice until we had a 300-litre barrel full. We limited the skin contact time to an absolute minimum. It underwent fermentation in a neutral barrel to focus on the fruit spectrum of Merlot. The oak barrels were mainly used to help to harmonise the pallet and finish of the wine.
After 11 months of maturation, we were ready to bottle. The wine showed classical Merlot flavours with a perfectly balanced palate, giving me the sense of elegance and prestige.
The wie was finally in the bottle and ready to ship to the German market, when suddenly the importer changed his mind, deciding not to take the wine. Frustrated by the change of events, I packed the wine away, leaving it in air-conditioned storage.
It was out of sight and out of mind until the end of 2018. I was walking through the warehouse, saw the bin with the 400 odd bottles of 2015 White Merlot… I took a bottle home, cooled it down, poured a glass for me and Elnette. Elnette took a sip and told me that the wine was beautiful and perfectly balanced - a real gem. We decided to label it and sell it under our name, Villion.
We got so much joy out of the wine - winemaker friends would blind taste it and could never guess the variety. In 2021 Ray also tasted the wine and told me if I could replicate the wine he would love to share it with Fine Wine Club member… and here we are with an exclusive Villion White Merlot 2022 for the select few of the Naked Wines Fine Wine Club.
Scott Kelley Oregon Pinot Noir 2021
Tasting notes:
My 2021 Scott Kelley Pinot Noir is sourced from dry farmed vineyards in the Umpqua Valley with an additional touch from the Willamette Valley. Few remember that a lot of winemaking pioneers started here - the Umpqua Valley is actually the birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir, with the first vines being planted here in 1961.
Country
USA
Region
Oregon
Grape
Pinot noir
Market Price
£24.99
Angel Price
£18.99
Scott Kelley Oregon Pinot Noir 2021
By Scott KelleyTasting notes: The wine has a lovely raspberry framboise aroma that invites you into the glass, followed by cherries, vanilla, toasty and earthy forest floor aromas. The mouthfeel is silky and long - refined tannins are wrapped around bright acidity.
Drinking window: This wine is certainly tasting great now but its impressive acidity will allow the wine to keep developing for the next 10 years.
Serving suggestions: Serve ever so slightly chilled from large glasses and order to enjoy!
Food pairing: This wine is a great pairing with grilled salmon over a bed of lentils with lardon or a seared duck breast with potatoes.
Notes from the Winemaker: My 2021 Scott Kelley Pinot Noir is sourced from dry farmed vineyards in the Umpqua Valley with an additional touch from the Willamette Valley. Few remember that a lot of winemaking pioneers started here - the Umpqua Valley is actually the birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir, with the first vines being planted here in 1961.
Our appellation is relatively warm and sees about 35" of rain a year on average, which is about half of what the Willamette Valley receives. The soils are a reddish decomposed sandstone with just enough clay to hold this moisture into the late summer months.
The topography of the Umpqua Valley is over 85% hills and mountains thus creating vineyard sites with varying aspects and elevations, much like the facets of a diamond. This all creates a terroir that delivers wines with remarkable depth and concentration, whilst still offering the wonderful perfume that Oregon is known for.
This wine is fermented in open top fermenters and then aged in French oak barrels, of which 25% are new. The wine has a lovely raspberry framboise aroma that invites you into the glass, followed by cherries, vanilla, toasty and earthy forest floor aromas. The mouthfeel is silky, long and refined, with tart tannins wrapped around a defined, bright acidity.
