As in many households, more wine is being consumed at my home now since the stay-home order has been issued to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic. As I am more likely to write tasting notes while at home than when I am out in restaurants, I wanted to share some of the wines that we have been enjoying recently.
Sosie Bare Necessity Sparkling Rosé 2018 - This bottle of pink bubbles was opened late morning/early afternoon on Sunday for our at home brunch of breakfast tacos, berry muffins, and cantaloupe. Sourced from Sonoma County and made in the traditional method, this wine is crisp, fresh and fruity. It is dry with bright notes of red berry, peach, and citrus with persistent bubbles, a round feel and a lingering fruity finish. Delicious and easy drinking, I am looking forward to learning more about this producer and tasting more of their wines, sample- $30 SRP
Love you Bunches Sangiovese 2018 - Sourced from Santa Barbara County, this red from Stolpman Vineyards underwent carbonic maceration. It is very drinkable and was very enjoyable with take-out Tex-Mex food from Pappasito's. Fruity and juicy with notes of raspberry, cherry, and blood orange. I recently saw their Rosé at Whole Foods and I plan on checking it out soon. This was a gift from a friend but I know it was purchased at Montrose Cheese and Wine for about $22.
Perissos Texas Hill Country Aglianico 2015 - I am a fan of Aglianico, I have vacationed on the Amalfi Coast and ventured deeper into Campania to taste Taurasi while there. I have enjoyed other Texas renditions of this variety and was delighted to visit this winery in 2018 and discover it being grown on the estate. I tried both the 2015 and a barrel sample of the 2017 at that time and was very impressed. I opened this for #TXWine night on Twitter, it is a bold red wine, dry, rich and flavorful with red berry aromas and flavors with white pepper and a hint of licorice. It is nicely balanced with good acidity and fully ripe tannins with a slightly spicy finish. We enjoyed it with grilled hamburgers for dinner. Purchased at the winery, the current release is $44.
Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017 - I am a fan of the Gary Farrell Chardonnay. I have had less of the Pinot Noir they produce. This wine is fresh, medium-body and easy to drink. It has red cherry/berry fruity aromas and flavors with some baking spice and a hint of earthiness with a lingering cranberry fruit finish. We had barbecue brisket for dinner and I had a glass with that and I enjoyed another glass during a virtual cocktail party with some like-minded friends. Sample- $45 SRP.
Soléna Nos Amis Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011 - Nos Amis translates to Our Friends. I visited this winery in 2017, ate a picnic lunch out on their terrace while tasting, and wound up buying a fair amount of wine from them. I have been using my time at home to reorganize my house including my wine storage and have discovered some nice surprises. I didn't know that I still had this bottle and it turns out I actually had two, I am looking forward to revisiting this wine again soon. I am a fan of the 2011 vintage in Willamette, it was a long and cool growing season and many of the wines that year were very elegant. This nine year old wine was fresh and vibrant with floral notes and red fruit and a silky texture that invites you back for another sip, the finish is spicy and lingering. We enjoyed it with grilled chicken and vegetables. I could not find this wine available for sale anywhere.
Chateau de Bligny Grande Reserve Brut NV - This Champagne is a go-to for brunch at a favorite Houston restaurant. It is a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. More fruity than mineral-driven with aromas and flavors of peach, apricot, and citrus along with a slight nuttiness. This sparkler has a soft, creamy feel with a persistent mousse and a clean, dry finish. It was enjoyed with some take-out Vietnamese food and was particularly good with the fried rice topped with fish roe and the tamarind shrimp. I found it available at Spec's for $42 but this bottle was purchased curbside at Backstreet Café for only $32.
Sosie Bare Necessity Sparkling Rosé 2018 - This bottle of pink bubbles was opened late morning/early afternoon on Sunday for our at home brunch of breakfast tacos, berry muffins, and cantaloupe. Sourced from Sonoma County and made in the traditional method, this wine is crisp, fresh and fruity. It is dry with bright notes of red berry, peach, and citrus with persistent bubbles, a round feel and a lingering fruity finish. Delicious and easy drinking, I am looking forward to learning more about this producer and tasting more of their wines, sample- $30 SRP
Love you Bunches Sangiovese 2018 - Sourced from Santa Barbara County, this red from Stolpman Vineyards underwent carbonic maceration. It is very drinkable and was very enjoyable with take-out Tex-Mex food from Pappasito's. Fruity and juicy with notes of raspberry, cherry, and blood orange. I recently saw their Rosé at Whole Foods and I plan on checking it out soon. This was a gift from a friend but I know it was purchased at Montrose Cheese and Wine for about $22.
Perissos Texas Hill Country Aglianico 2015 - I am a fan of Aglianico, I have vacationed on the Amalfi Coast and ventured deeper into Campania to taste Taurasi while there. I have enjoyed other Texas renditions of this variety and was delighted to visit this winery in 2018 and discover it being grown on the estate. I tried both the 2015 and a barrel sample of the 2017 at that time and was very impressed. I opened this for #TXWine night on Twitter, it is a bold red wine, dry, rich and flavorful with red berry aromas and flavors with white pepper and a hint of licorice. It is nicely balanced with good acidity and fully ripe tannins with a slightly spicy finish. We enjoyed it with grilled hamburgers for dinner. Purchased at the winery, the current release is $44.
Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017 - I am a fan of the Gary Farrell Chardonnay. I have had less of the Pinot Noir they produce. This wine is fresh, medium-body and easy to drink. It has red cherry/berry fruity aromas and flavors with some baking spice and a hint of earthiness with a lingering cranberry fruit finish. We had barbecue brisket for dinner and I had a glass with that and I enjoyed another glass during a virtual cocktail party with some like-minded friends. Sample- $45 SRP.
Soléna Nos Amis Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011 - Nos Amis translates to Our Friends. I visited this winery in 2017, ate a picnic lunch out on their terrace while tasting, and wound up buying a fair amount of wine from them. I have been using my time at home to reorganize my house including my wine storage and have discovered some nice surprises. I didn't know that I still had this bottle and it turns out I actually had two, I am looking forward to revisiting this wine again soon. I am a fan of the 2011 vintage in Willamette, it was a long and cool growing season and many of the wines that year were very elegant. This nine year old wine was fresh and vibrant with floral notes and red fruit and a silky texture that invites you back for another sip, the finish is spicy and lingering. We enjoyed it with grilled chicken and vegetables. I could not find this wine available for sale anywhere. 
Chateau de Bligny Grande Reserve Brut NV - This Champagne is a go-to for brunch at a favorite Houston restaurant. It is a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. More fruity than mineral-driven with aromas and flavors of peach, apricot, and citrus along with a slight nuttiness. This sparkler has a soft, creamy feel with a persistent mousse and a clean, dry finish. It was enjoyed with some take-out Vietnamese food and was particularly good with the fried rice topped with fish roe and the tamarind shrimp. I found it available at Spec's for $42 but this bottle was purchased curbside at Backstreet Café for only $32.
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