Friday, May 3rd
Le Petit Bijou
West Coast Wine Tasting
Soulful Wines from Oregon and California!
Featuring Stellar Producers,
Maitre de Chai, Arnot Roberts, Maison Noir & More!
Call 256-964-7980
West Coast Wine Tasting
Le Petit Bijou
Friday, May 3rd
4pm - 6pm, $20
With Special Guest, Beth Farris of Grassroots Wine
256-964-7980 to Reserve
2021 Maitre De Chai Sparkling Chenin, Clarksburg, California $35.99
The grapes are sourced from the Wilson Vineyard just south of Clarksburg, in the Sacramento River Delta. Over the last several years, the Wilson family has converted this parcel of Chenin Blanc at the Woods Ranch over to organic farming. The vines were planted in 1998 and the hallmark of the site is electric acidity.
For the production of this wine, the classical Méthode Champenoise was used, with a shorter élevage. The wine aged for six months in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak barrels. Tirage took place in February 2020. The wine was riddled and disgorged in July 2020 with a dosage of two grams per liter. The winemakers employed a short élevage with the intention of producing an approachable American sparkling wine and to showcase the versatility of Chenin Blanc in California.
Maître de Chai translates to cellar master, or the person responsible for the development and aging of wine. By extension, the humble cellar master is the person responsible for the management of the winery.
After working in some of California’s top kitchens including Cyrus, Quince, and the French Laundry, two former chefs, Marty Winters and Alex Pitts, decided to trade in their whites and in 2012 they founded Maitre de Chai. Today, Alex and Marty are joined by their respective partners, Stephanie Pitts (all things web) and Jessica Force (creative director, tasting room), who have helped grow Maître de Chai into one of the most dynamic independent wineries in California.
2022 Maison Noir Wines "New Noir", Willamette Valley, Oregon $29.99
A skin contact “Northwest Edelzwicker” of sorts, a diabolical blend of 50% Gewurztraminer, 28% Pinot Gris, 12% Riesling, 5% Muscat, and 5% Pinot Blanc: Stone fruit potpourri, racy acidity with a sprinkle of molten salt!
With Pinot Gris with extended skin contact, the 2022 vintage has a dark pink hue akin to an Italian Rosato.
2023 Arnot Roberts Rose, Healdsburg, California $28.99
Arnot-Roberts began making Rosé from Touriga Nacional in 2010. They were compelled by the grape's deep color, brilliant acidity and aromatic complexity even at low sugar content.
The fruit is hand-harvested, then lightly crushed by foot to release some color prior to pressing. The juice is fermented with native yeasts and full native malolactic in all stainless steel tanks, then blended together to harmonize.
2022 Lieu Dit Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Barbara, California $40.99
Our inaugural vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon is exclusively sourced from the stony, serpentine block 46B of the Santa Ynez Vineyard, tucked into the easternmost reaches of the Happy Canyon AVA. This 170 acre vineyard - planted to some 30 varieties - rests on a 1,000 acre conservation easement that will protect the natural beauty and viticultural legacy of this region for generations to come.
Destemmed to open-top stainless tanks for native fermentation; macerated for two-and-a-half weeks and managed with pump-overs. Pressed down to french barriques (approximately 10% of which were new); racked once after malolactic fermentation and again to tank for bottling. Unfined, lightly filtered.
2021 Railsback Freres Grenache, Santa Barbara, California $25.99
95 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "A dark colour, but only slightly tinted, far from opaque. A gorgeous nose! This has some weight and concentration, but retains a light, fresh drinkability. With good depth of flavour, it’s well balanced and persistent. Smoky herbs and blackberry fruit. Really hot coating fruit and fine tannin, this is exceptional. So pure, so drinkable, characterful and satisfying. Nolan Ranch and Shokrian Vineyard, picked 1 and 4 October. 4,320 bottles produced.. (3/22/23)"
Producer notes: "[$45 list] Inspired by the ancien régime of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, our work with Grenache Noir seeks to reveal vitality and fine floral aromatics. Grown in two organic farms in Los Alamos that enjoy a strong marine influence, both giving Grenache with freshness. The inclusion of whole clusters in this vintage made for some bright and crunchy flavors. Grenache in this style is a great pairing for plant-based soupe au pistou, but if you’re feeling more decadent this is one of our favorite pairings for lamb sausages or burgers off the grill. Alcohol 12.7%. 4,320 bottles produced."
2021 Maitre De Chai Zinfandel, Stampede Vineyard, Clements Hills, California $32,99
The wine is a classic Zinfandel mix of fresh, ripe, and also dried red plum and raspberry. The tannins are present and driving, but not aggressive, well balanced by its fresh acidity, and a peppery finish.
In 1942, the first Clements Stampede and Horseshow was held. It was a purely non-professional round up and it drew a crowd of 1,500. Right next door to this old rodeo grounds is the Stampede Vineyard.
Planted in the 1940s, the Stampede Vineyard is an own-rooted Zinfandel planting in the toe-hills of the Sierra Nevada mountains within Lodi’s Clements Hills AVA.