Pre-Valentines Day Champagne Tasting at Wine Watch

One of my most exciting Saturday nights was just me and a bottle of wine and a crochet book.

Jessica Pare

I can guarantee you this tasting will be more exciting than a crochet book.  Can you think of a better way to start this Valentine's weekend than a tasting featuring over 30 different types of tiny bubbles and Pinot Noir.  We will be featuring a range of method champenoise style sparkling wines as well as Pinot Noir reds that are sure to get you off to a good start with your significant other on this Valentines weekend.

Our Pre-Valentine’s Day Champagne Tasting at Wine Watch has become an annual event and is one of our biggest tastings of the year.  We have added Pinot Noir to the line-up as this fits the billing around Valentine’s Day as the "sexy" grape varietal.  And we will have a larger selection of Rose Champagne and Sparkling wines on the tables this evening.

We will be setting up stations in the outside courtyard at Progresso Plaza and Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone will be making a few tasty treats to accompany the tiny bubbles, the fee for this event is $45 + tax and we are limited to 75 tasters this evening, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Pre Valentines Champagne and Pinot Noir Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, February 6th
7pm

Florida Wine Company

NV Catherine & Pierre Breton Vouvray Brut
Price: $24.00    Sale $21.12    Case $245

This méthode traditionelle bubbly is from Catherine Breton, who knows a thing or two about Chenin Blanc. She makes a wonderful all-purpose sparkler: crisp, dry, delicate, invigorating, affordable. I might add that the 2005, one of her first vintages, is still providing plenty of thrills today. –Anthony Lynch

NV Varnier-Fanniere Grand Cru Brut
Price: $73.25    Sale $64.46    Case $748

Varnier Fannière | Disgorged May 5, 2011 | Lovely rye and caraway punch to the nose, bright and textural in the mouth lovely snappy apple charm to this rich yet uplifting without careless weight –nay this is a bounding thoroughbred soaring past the others through the woods over fences and so effortless it is exhilarating yet comforting. Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, November 2013

A champagne of great finesse, this Grand Cru from Cotes des Blancs is naturally 100% Chardonnay and expresses an engaging and appetizing collection of fruit and spice with even that engaging scent of rye -all from the old vines. Certain of their quality, Varnier-Fanniere has an adamant preference for stainless steel tanks so as not to obscure the purity and depth of the vines’ expression. Bright orchard fruit is forthcoming on the nose and it's cheerful on the palate with chipper apples and acacia that then pull you into a rye spiced nuance that lifts up on the palate and lasts long into the finish. As appetizing as it is alluring, this makes the mind reel with food pairings -most salient to me as I drink this is smørrebrød; those irresistible open faced sandwiches of Copenhagen particularly one with smoked fish, red onions, fresh greens and herbs atop a buttered slice of rugbrød -ah, the power of an evocative champagne! Wine review by Nicholas D. Livingston, October 2012

NV Marc Hebrart Cuvee de Reserve Brut
Price: $58.25    Sale $51.26    Case $594

(90 Points) (82% pinot noir and 18% chardonnay; disgorged in March, 2013 after 25 months on its lees): Pale yellow. Aromas and flavors of citrus pith, dried fig, quince and chalky minerals. Dry and precise, with subtle florality, zesty mineral lift and a late kick of bitter cherry pit. Finishes dry and long, with persistent orange zest and chalk notes. - Tanzer  (Dec 2013)

NV Veuve Fourny Brut Rose
Price: $62.00    Sale $54.56    Case $633

Champagne Veuve Fourny & Fils is relatively new to the KLWM portfolio, although it has been an active family domaine since 1856. The estate is located in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, in the premier cru village of Vertus, an appellation that gives them the rare opportunity to grow Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay. Brothers Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny sustainably farm nearly nine hectares of vineyards and have been carrying on the family winegrowing tradition since 1993. Their “Clos Faubourg Notre Dame” is a rare jewel in Champagne, primarily due to the fact that there are few existing clos parcels left in the region. In this walled plot of land, their older vines benefit from a unique microclimate with deep, chalky subsoil and clay and limestone deposits. Southeastern sun exposure optimizes grape maturity in an area of France where ripe grapes are a precious commodity. Their other vineyards share the soil composition of the clos and get east, southeast and southern sun exposure.

Veuve Fourny produces classic grower Champagne, raising pedigreed fruit, adhering to high standards, and hand-crafting wines that showcase the chalky terroir of Vertus. All of the Fournys’ vineyards are farmed according to the same meticulous practices and principles, and each parcel is vinified individually. The Brut ages in their cellars for two and a half years before release, the vintage Champagne for five years, and the Clos for nine years. The house style at Veuve Fourny is best characterized as classic Côte des Blancs: a fine bead, rich, deep aromatics, and a complex minerality emphasizing freshness and purity. The Fournys believe in minimal dosage for all of their Champagnes, preferring to let the individual terroirs express themselves more clearly. This technique, in addition to their dedication to partial malolactic fermentations in their overall blends, impeccable vineyard management, and their decision to age most base wine partially in barrel, all contribute to their unique style.

2013 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 
Price: $24.00    Sale $21.12    Case $245

The Willamette Valley blend is always our first look at bottled Pinot from the vintage. 2013 was an interesting growing season, starting off early and warm all the way through the summer then hitting a siginificant cool down followed by epic rain. We picked about two-thirds of our fruit before the rain then paused for a week and resumed harvesting after things dried out. Very reminiscent of the 2010, lively and fresh with bright red cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and slight chewiness on the finish. 3,200 cases produced.

2012 Copain Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir
Price: $29.75    Sale $26.18    Case $304

The 2012 Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit harvested from several parcels within the Anderson Valley. The delicately perfumed aromatics of spice and floral notes frame the soft supple body with flavors of just-ripened red fruits and rich earth. Bright acidity carries through for an elegant finish. Enjoy now or within five years

2013 Bergstrom Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir
Price: $47.75    Sale $42.02    Case $488

The 2013 Cumberland Reserve is dark red cherry in color and showcases an explosive and heady aromatic profile of fresh black cherries, red raspberries a slight kirsch note and ripe blueberries. The fruit character is bright and pure and only slightly lifted and framed by great Oregon spice and loamy earth character which adds depth and dimension to this very promising wine. In the mouth the wine is a fantastic expression of pure Oregon Pinot Noir with great verve and lift and vibrancy showing off rich, ripe berry flavors and a suave velvet-like structure which caresses the palate with its succulence but also promises a great future with its minerality and sweet tannins.

2012 Lutum Bien Nacido Pinot Noir
Price: $57.75    Sale $50.82    Case $590.00

This wine has a very unique nose, with evergreen minty notes along with a vegetal note to the red cherry and wild strawberry like fruit, cinnamon spice, nice complexity here as the wine opens up. A light and savory style of Pinot Noir with smooth silky tannins and that minty spice and light vegetal note on the finish but again very balanced plenty of red berry, pomegranate like fruit and fresh acidity to keep things balanced, light earthy notes to the finish, this wine grew on me as it opened up. Finish 40+ Excellent

Transatlantic

Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2012                                
Price: $54.00       Sale $47.52          Case $551
               
This wine is also a blend and they make around 15,000 cases of this wine, 10,000 cases of Chardonnay Sonoma Coast. On the nose this wine has pretty floral notes and a touch of spice despite the fact they fully destem the fruit for this wine, a 5-9 day cold soak so they get ahead start on the color. Wild strawberry and cranberry fruit on the tongue, raspberry fruit very zesty with a good hand of pretty floral notes through the finish, long and layered with a bit of earth but the focus is on the pretty floral notes and the zesty red berry fruit. Finish 40+ Excellent +

Pillow Road Pinot Noir 2011      
Price: $53.25       Sale $46.86          Case $543
               
The 2011 Pillow Road Pinot Noir displays pure fruit aromas of red cherry, cranberry and wild strawberry with floral notes of lavender and fresh violet. The elegant palate is soft and juicy with flavors of Rainer cherry and sweet vanilla spice. Polished tannins and quenching acidity lead to a long velvety finish.

                               
Belle Glos Pinot Noir Dairyman 2013
Price: $45.00       Sale $39.60          Case $459

The color is a vibrant ruby red. Aromas of ripe cherry, fleshy black plum and dried rose petal are beautifully intermingled with subtle notes of smoke, thyme and anise. The palate opens with a delightful berries and cream character; bright raspberry, cranberry and cherry are nicely balanced by vanilla cream and a rich, rounded mouth-feel. It offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory with fig jam and candied blackberry notes, complemented by cedar, cocoa powder and dark spices. The overall impression is one of balanced structure, bright acidity and silky tannins with a long, lingering finish.

               
Carpe Diem Pinot Noir 2012       
Price: $33.75       Sale $29.70          Case $345

(90 points) Shows off ripe plum and wild berry flavors, with firm, grippy tannins. Gains depth and richness, adding a touch of dried herb. Needs time. Drink now through 2022. Wine Spectator (4/ 2014)   
                                               

                                                               
Laurent Perrier Rose Brut Champagne NV                                           
Price: $72.00       Sale $63.36          Case $735

(96 Points) "Elegant and fruity at the same time with a quick invitation from bright, pure cherryish notes and then filled out handsomely by whiffs of chalky soils and well-integrated, rich and uplifting yeast-driven scents, this wine manages to be both vigorous and layered at one and the same time. Its bubbles are insistent, finely carved and add to the early sensations of lightness and energy yet also carry the wine long into a balanced, refined finish. And its latter palate grip is exactly what one should expect from the genre. While service with light foods would be our first choice, this one has the beauty to stand alone."  Connoisseurs' Guide

Pol Roger Brut Champagne NV
Price: $49.50       Sale $43.56          Case $505                                           
(92 Points) "An appealing mushroom aroma is the opening note for this smooth, harmonious wine that has enough personality to be a vintage Champagne. It has plenty of body, a flavor dominated by walnuts, a creamy texture and a smooth, buttery finish." Wine Spectator

Louis Roederer Brut Rose Champagne 2008                        
Price: $73.50       Sale $64.68          Case $750

( 94 points)  **Cellar Selection** Still young and fruity, this is a wine with impressive potential. For now, enjoy the palest of rosé colors, bright red fruits, and crisp and lively acidity. In the next several years, this will deepen and mellow, so keep and don’t drink until 2017.  Wine Enthusiast  (12/ 2013)

2011 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Magnum
Price:  $119.75    Sale $105.38

They own 200 acres and they have 4 estates but they still purchase some fruit for this wine which spends 16 months in French oak barrels white wine this is a big Pinot Noir with lots of black raspberry fruit, fresh flowers and exotic spices, there is a bit of earth here but lots of fruit, some brown spice, nice complexity on the nose. A nice hand of spice to the rich blackberry and raspberry fruit, bright and zesty with big fruit but has lovely balance with pretty floral notes and a long layered finish velvety smooth tannins. Finish 45+ Most Excellent

2011 Goldeneye Gowan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
Price: $75.00    Sale $66.00    Case $765

Two miles north of the Confluence Vineyard in the heart of the Anderson Valley, our Gowan Creek Vineyard sees appreciably more coastal fog. The unique terroir of this site brings together elements from both the valley’s warmer regions and its cooler, northern “deep end.” Offering an ideal Southwestern exposure and an array of unique vineyard blocks, Gowan Creek is planted to eight different clones of Pinot Noir, each carefully tailored to a specific site and soil type. The powerful and expressive wine produced from these vines displays beautiful inky depth and robust, untamed fruit flavors.

2012 Migration Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Price: $33.00    Sale $29.04    Case $337

The group just purchased 20 acres on Red Mountain, that is the next big thing from this group.  These Migration wines are still made at a custom crush facility with a new one on the horizon at Hopland, Neil Bonardi was assistant at Littorai and his main job is to source all the fruit for this label and maintain the style of this very successful brand.  Very rich and fruity exotic spices and pretty floral notes, light smoky notes coming out, raspberry and red cherry fruit along with notes of cola.  A zesty Pinot Noir with juicy red berry fruit very bright with smooth silky tannins, exotic spices and pretty floral notes through the finish along with a note of that cola spice, very balanced.  Finish 40+

2013 Decoy Sonoma County Pinot Noir
Price: $21.00    Sale $18.48    Case $215

This wine is made from a selection of 16 different vineyards throughout Sonoma is aged for 7 months in 100% French Oak and has a beautiful bouquet of red berry fruit, strawberry and raspberry with highlights of fresh flowers. A fresh and fruity style of wine of Pinot Noir with bright raspberry and rhubarb like fruit with a nice touch of spice and floral notes through the finish. finish 35+ Very Good

2013 Belle Glos Dairyman Pinot Noir
Price: $45.00    Sale $39.60    Case $459

The color is a vibrant ruby red. Aromas of ripe cherry, fleshy black plum and dried rose petal are beautifully intermingled with subtle notes of smoke, thyme and anise. The palate opens with a delightful berries and cream character; bright raspberry, cranberry and cherry are nicely balanced by vanilla cream and a rich, rounded mouth-feel. It offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory with fig jam and candied blackberry notes, complemented by cedar, cocoa powder and dark spices. The overall impression is one of balanced structure, bright acidity and silky tannins with a long, lingering finish.

Premier Beverage

Delamotte Champagne Brut N/V
Price: $51.75    Sale $45.54    Sale $528

(91 Points) "Bright straw. High-pitched aromas of lime, lemongrass, honeysuckle and gingery spices, with a chalky mineral overtone. Dry and precise, showing very good energy to its citrus fruit and quince flavors. Closes dry, tight and long, with lingering mineral and floral notes and a hint of iodine." International Wine Cellar

JCB Sparkling Rose No. 69  
Price: $22.50    Sale $19.80    Case $230

Number 69 is a seductively light and refreshing rosé. Vibrant aromas of raspberry and red currant evolve into aromatic jammy notes. This wine is tender in the mouth with crisp flavors.

Saintsbury Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 2013    
Price: $21.50    Sale $18.92    Case $220

The 2013 Vin Gris has the delicate, terra cotta color associated with classic rosé wines of the Old World. The aromas and flavors are both subtle and more complex than years past with a range of pear, stone fruits, wild strawberry and blood orange.

Saintsbury Pinot Noir Carneros 2011
Price: $37.25    Sale $32.78     case $380

tasting notes: rhubarb, wild strawberry & white pepper

Vintage 2011:  Cooler than average year, making for graceful aromatics and vibrant acidity.

Stacole

JUVE Y CAMPS ROSE BRUT PINOT NOIR N/V      
Price: $15.00       Sale $13.20          Case $153

(90 Points) "The Non-Vintage Pinot Noir Rose Brut is salmon pink in color with alluring cherry blossom and strawberry aromas and flavors. Broad on the palate with savory, spicy fruit, it will make a superb match for jamon Iberico and other charcuterie. "  The Wine Advocate

MARCEL-MARTIN CREMANT DE LOIRE N/V         
Price: $23.00       Sale $20.24          Case $235

The Marcel Martin Cremant de Loire is that estate’s “Tete de Cuvee” — the best of the house — and it shows in the wine’s engagingly floral aroma, fine stream of bubbles and complex flavor spectrum.

This bright, crisp sparkler offers notes of white flowers, green apple, white mushroom, lemon curd and toast.

ZARDETTO PROSECCO MILLESIMATO “ZETA” 2012           
Price: $24.00       Sale $21.12          Case $245

Produced in limited quantity, this vintage-dated sparkling wine takes its name from the first letter of the Zardetto family name, "Zeta" in Italian. Zeta is made from carefully hand-selected Glera grapes (formerly known as Prosecco) grown in a single vineyard in the San Pietro di Feletto commune, one of the best sites in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene zone. This is an exciting, complex sparkling wine with personality – the delicious culmination of Zardetto’s relentless research into the area’s treasured grape varieties.

DRAPPIER CARTE D'OR Brut Champagne N/V     
Price: $52.50       Sale $46.20          Case $536

Drappier's Carte d'Or Brut champagne has all the aroma of the Pinot Noir grape variety, which in fact makes up 90% of the blend. This is a black grape with white juice and is highly prized not only for its structure but also for the subtle notes of red fruits which characterize it.

DROUHIN PINOT NOIR LAFORET BOURGOGNE ROUGE 2012       
Price: $19.50       Sale $17.16          Case $199

"A wine full of charm: bright ruby color and a nose rich with aromas of red fruit (raspberry, red currants, wild strawberry). On the palate, the wine is pleasant, fruity and refreshing, with light tannins and great elegance". - Véronique Boss-Drouhin

CLOUDLINE PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE 2013        
Price: $21.00       Sale $18.48          Sale $215

Cloudline is deep ruby red, a sign of its classic Pinot Noir character. On the palate, the wine is soft and round, with a delightful core of cherries and red fruits. The structure is perhaps even a bit better than the much-admired 2005 Cloudline, and the overall fruit-forwardness makes for a wine that is thoroughly enjoyable now and for the next several years to come.

DOMAINE DROUHIN PINOT NOIR WILLAMETTE 2013     
Price: $50.00       Sale $44.00          Case $510

Delicious, well-structured, well-balanced. On the nose and on the palate, it is very much a classic expression of our Dundee Hills property, with a touch more black cherry and black fruits than usual. As with 2013, the acidity is bright, and overall there is nice structure and very good length. This wine will age exceptionally well, easily more than 10 years.

LULI PINOT NOIR SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS 2013            
Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76          Case $276

Look for bright red fruits and spice in this wine: Pomegranate, Bing cherry and raspberry with Earl Grey tea highlights, according to the winemaker's notes: "The vintage delivered both a richly textured and vibrant wine--a character one obtains from such cool climate regions as the Santa Lucia Highlands."

SONOMA-LOEB PINOT NOIR DUTTON RANCH 2013         
Price: $37.00       Sale $32.56          Case $378

Nestled in the cool, foggy hills above the Russian River Valley in Western Sonoma County, Dutton Ranch has earned a reputation as one of the appellation’s preeminent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards. Our Pinot Noir block is perfectly located on an east-facing slope with shallow soils and full sun exposure. Yielding approximately 2.5 tons/acre of clones 667, 777 and 115 Pinot Noir, this impeccably farmed site is the perfect place for making world-class Pinot Noir. Grapes from the 2012 vintage were fermented using a combination of punch-downs and pump-overs, with wild yeast, as well as select strains from Burgundy. The wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels.

Menu

Bellini with Caviar

Shoe String French fries with Citrus Gremolata

Pork Belly Sandwich with Cherry Coleslaw and pickled Radish

Tuna Tartar on sesame crisp

Goat Cheese and cashew balls with sundried cranberry aioli