The Ned, the Highway, and the Pirate

• Posted on 23 April 2019
• Posted in Carignan, chardonnay, Cinsault, grenache, Petite Syrah, Pinot Gris, Syrah
• 0

This Saturday, April 27th, 2019 let City Vino take you on a journey of adventure with The Ned, the Highway and the Pirate.

First up, meet “The Ned.” The Ned Pinot Gris 2018 hails from vineyards in Waihopai River Vineyard and Leefield Station, Waihopai Valley, in Marlborough, New Zealand. This wine is made from 100% Pinot Gris but what makes The Ned a bit different is that the wine is made in a ramato-style, wherein the grape juice is cold-soaked on the skins for a short period of time giving them a pink hue, and providing some additional flavors from the skins. The juice is then pressed off the skins and the wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks that help to preserve the lovely aromatics of this wine. It has floral notes on the nose and flavors of baked yellow apple; persimmon; and pear, infused with nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon. This is a dry wine and great on its own on a lovely warm afternoon, but would also make a great pairing with a fresh green salad, watermelon salad, light seafood, or chicken dishes. And do not forget moderately spiced dishes.

Next up, lets hit “the Highway.” The Highway 12 Carneros Chardonnay 2017, that is. This wine hails from Highway 12 Vineyards and Winery, which is based in Sonoma Valley and the Carneros District, in California. This is their inaugural release for the Highway 12 portfolio. The grapes for this wine come from a partnership with Ned Hill and Matt Stornetta of La Prenda Vineyards in the Clarksburg, Sonoma AVA. The wine is made with a minimalist approach to winemaking, with a cool fermentation, light use of oak, and early harvest, resulting in a lower-alcohol wine. The wine goes through malolactic fermentation, which gives it a creamy/buttery flavor. The wine is aged 50 percent sur lee (aged with the spent yeast cells after fermentation is complete), which gives the wine a more full, lush and rich characteristic. Aromatically, the wine presents with notes of white flowers, light citrus fruit, and a hint of stone fruit. Tasting it, you’ll find flavors of crisp asian apple; citrus and tropical fruit, balanced with toast, vanilla, and buttery smoothness that rounds out the finish. Pair this wine with a nice cheese plate featuring Cheddar, Gouda or Manchego. For a meal, prepare a fish, chicken, or pork dish, with a cream or butter sauce that will balance the richness of the wine and make those fruit flavors shine.

And finally, walk the plank with The Pirate Clos LaChance Pirate 22 Red Blend. Pirates evolved from a concept to join all or some of the 22 Rhone varietal grapes from premier wine growing regions throughout California into a single wine. Each vintage has a unique blend. This vintage is a blend of 40% Syrah, 25% Petite Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, and 5% Grenache. The wine is fermented in small batches with extended oak aging to create a complex wine that we enjoy on its own during a light meal, or with an exquisite meal. On the nose this wine shows lots of ripe blackberry, vanilla bean, white chocolate, heirloom tomato, leather, and smoke. On the palate, the wine has flavors of red cherry, black plum, toasted wood, and vanilla. It is round and fruity, with a medium body, medium tannins, low oak flavor and a medium long finish. Pair this with your backyard barbeque.