Wine Archives - Corks and Forks

LVE French Sparkling Rosé

Mell — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 20:54:41 +0000

LVE French Sparkling Rosé

To quote a famous Jim Carrey character…

Some body stop meee!

These bubbles are addictive. I mean seriously addictive. Bright, light, beautifully balanced and oh so refreshing on a smoldering summer day. This rose gold pink potion is an absolute must try.

LVE = Legend Vineyard Exclusive
Jon Legend + Boisset Family Estates = Magic

It’s a little obnoxious how everything Jon Legend touches turns to gold. Fortunately, his wines are for us to enjoy and this puppy will always be in stock under my roof. Strawberries and citrus aromas lighten the mood instantly then soft bubbles pop with tart bursts of strawberry and cherry on the palate. There is a creaminess that lingers like a love-sick sigh that makes you go in for another sip as soon as possible.

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness Acidity Alcohol Body Flavor intensity Flavor characteristics Aroma	Dry to Off-dry Medium-High 12.5% Light Medium Strawberry, Raspberry, Citrus Strawberry, White Peach.

My left shoe would pair well with LVE French Sparkling Ros é. All kidding aside, I would recommend pairing this with seared scallops, lobster rolls, light cheeses, basically any fresh summer fare but don’t be too picky. Find any excuse to give this a try and let me know what you think!

Slàinte!

Disclosure…

Yes, I am an Independent Boisset Collection Ambassador.
Yes, Jean-Charles Boisset is the Proprietor of Raymond Vineyards.
No, I will never recommend something I don’t love just to make a buck.
Yes, if you are one of my Wine Society Members you get a significant discount on Boisset Collection wines, but:

I personally am a Wine Society Member because it’s fabulous and fully customizable. You can select as few as 3 bottles of wine every three months. Or you can do 6 or 12 bottles every three months. Your choice all the way around. A bottle of wine a month? All within your style and your budget. As I said, fabulous! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or you want to get started today!

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J MOREAU & FILS VOUVRAY 2020

Mell — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 20:31:57 +0000

2020 J. Moreau Fils Vouvray

The 2020 J. Moreau Fils Vouvray – a wine so delightful, it’s like a ray of sunshine in a bottle.

Picture this: you’re lounging on a sun-drenched terrace, surrounded by blooming flowers and chirping birds. Now add a glass of this Vouvray to the scene, and suddenly, life is just a little bit sweeter.

This wine is like the cool, confident friend you want by your side at every party. It’s got that perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, with hints of ripe peach and honeydew dancing on your palate like a well-choreographed ballet.

And let’s talk about versatility – this Vouvray is the ultimate chameleon of the wine world. It pairs beautifully with everything from fresh seafood to spicy Thai cuisine, making it the MVP of your dinner table. Vouvray is made from Chenin Blanc grapes grown along the banks of the Loire River in the Touraine district of France. While they can range widely in style, this particular lovely lingers and leaves you wanting another sip.

So, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just need a little pick-me-up after a long day, the 2020 J. Moreau Fils Vouvray is here to save the day. Not being a huge fan of sweeter wines, the fresh tartness balances the sweetness beautifully. Vibrant, fresh, complex notes of apple, citrus, blossoms and maybe a hit of Tequila

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness Acidity Alcohol Body Flavor intensity Flavor characteristics Aroma	Dry High 12.5% Light Medium Crisp Apple, Honey, Citrus Blossoms, Agave, Lemon Pith

The light sweetness makes this wine a perfect pair for Asian dishes, even sweet and spicy Thai dishes are a nice match. I especially enjoyed it with curried chicken salad and look forward to trying it with other curries. Something about this wine enchants you. I did not expect to like it, let alone fall in love with it. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Slàinte!

Pssst! You can get a bottle he re!

Disclosure…

Yes, I am an Independent Boisset Collection Ambassador.
No, I will never recommend something I don’t love just to make a buck.
Yes, if you are one of my Wine Society Members you get a significant discount on Boisset Collection wines, but:

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2020 Tomé Syrah

Mell — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 20:52:15 +0000

2020 Tomé Syrah

This was a beautiful, fruit forward Syrah that I will definitely make sure to have on hand in the future. Juicy ripe fruits with spicy floral notes and a smooth, lasting finish make it perfect for pairing with barbecue ribs, grilled steaks, tapas or a great charcuterie board. I enjoyed this with grilled teriyaki ribeye and Lemon and Feta Orzo salad and it was divine!

Tomé means “drink” in Spanish and this 2020 Syrah is something you will want to drink over and over again. From 30-year old vines, you can feel the sun-kissed grapes bursting on your palate. Oak and spice and everything nice!

Slàinte!

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness Acidity Alcohol Body Flavor intensity Flavor characteristics Aroma	Dry High 12.5% Light Medium Crisp Apple, Honey, Citrus Blossoms, Agave, Lemon Pith

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LVE Chardonnay Carneros 2021

Mell — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 22:38:47 +0000

LVE Chardonnay Carneros Chardonnay

I will be honest here. I am not a big fan of Chardonnay and will usually opt for ABC (Anything BUT Chardonnay) when given the chance. This wine changed all of that. In a word – GORGEOUS.

LVE is John Legend’s label, Legend Vinyard Exclusive, in partnership with Raymond Vineyards where they have created a dozen or so vintages. While I fully intend to work my way through the list, they made magic on this one. Even the label on this Chardonnay is beauty. It shouldn’t be a surprise given everything John Legend touches turns to gold. Even the label on this wine is beauty. Creamy white roses and brushed gold with unassuming, yet elegant lettering. Beauty. I shouldn’t be surprised given everything John Legend touches turns to gold.

The nose on the 2021 LVE Chardonnay evokes creamy white flowers, ripe melon and fresh pears with perhaps a whisper of baking spices in the background. On the tongue you get buttery warm brioche and spiced pears that feels like velvet and lingers in a long, luxurious finish.

Don’t confuse this with John Legend Signature Series by LVE Chardonnay. If the difference in the labels aren’t enough of a clue, the price difference will be. Don’t be fooled by online vendors that show the rose label at a $16-ish price tag. You’re not going to get this bottle. Your going to get this one…

Don’t get me wrong, this is a lovely Chardonnay if you are a Chardonnay fan. It’s also a great value as well but it is NOT what I am talking about here. The LVE Chardonnay Carneros is what I am talking about and well worth the investment. If you see it for less than $45 retail, it’s not the Carneros.

Slàinte!

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness Acidity Alcohol Body Flavor intensity Flavor characteristics Aroma	Dry Low 14.5% Full Medium Spiced Pear, Lemon Zest, Crème Brûlée Pear, Jasmine, Fresh Melon

Disclosure…

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a2 Rose 2021

Mell — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 19:48:25 +0000

2021 a2 Rose "Pinky Swear"

Alexandria Nicole Cellars brings us this beautiful “Pinky Swear” Rosé that is as approachable as it is sophisticated. From Columbia Valley, Washington, this fresh sippable vintage has juicy peach, watermelon and strawberry fruits with hints of flowers and herbs. Light and dry, it’s a perfect accompaniment to a lazy summer day or night.

Slàinte!

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness Acidity Alcohol Body Flavor intensity Flavor characteristics Aroma	Dry Low 13.3% Light Medium Peach, Cherry, Kiwi Strawberry, Cranberry, Watermelon.

23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cinsault, 13% Merlot, 13% Grenache, 13% Syrah, 13% Malbec, 10% Orange Muscat

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Brothers Miller Valdiguie 2020

Mell — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 22:44:07 +0000

Brothers Miller Valdiguie 2020

I had never heard of the Valdiguie grape before I was introduced to this wine. What a lovely surprise!

Beautifully fruit forward and oh so easy to drink. Juicy pomegranate and dried fruits, just the perfect amount of oak and spice with a smooth, long finish. It’s exactly what I would serve with grilled steaks for good friends.

This Paso Robles Valdiguie is one I highly recommend but don’t forget to let it breathe!

Nicholas and Marshall Miller have quite a legacy being part of the Miller Family. These brothers are fifth generation farmers and basically grew up on two of the most famous vineyards on California’s Central Coast, French Camp and Bien Nacido. A not so-little slice of heaven on Earth.

Slàinte!

P.S. I just placed an order for some of their other vintages so stay tuned!

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness Acidity Tannin Alcohol Body Flavor intensity Flavor characteristics Aroma	Dry Low Low 14.2% Full Medium Strawberry, Pomegranate, Toasty Oak Jammy Red Fruits, Smoke.

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Wisdom Point Grenache Blanc 2021

Mell — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 22:19:02 +0000

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This was my very first Grenache Blanc and it was love at first sip. A beautiful bright and zesty white wine with fresh citrus and peachy notes. It’s medium body makes it a perfect alternative to a Chardonnay which is not on my top ten of favorite wines. This one, however, is. Wisdom Point hasn’t failed to delight me and this Grenache Blanc was no exception. I haven’t been able to find this anywhere other than Firstleaf which is another excuse for you to join that wine club!

Wisdom Point’s Grenache Blanc has a bright acidity that is very refreshing for a medium bodied wine. The nose is lemony fresh with crisp peach and almost an orange blossom floral note. Dry to off-dry makes this a perfect accompaniment to grilled prawns and peaches while dining al fresco.

94 Points, 2022 Winemaker Challenge
Platinum Medal, 2022 Winemaker Challenge
Silver Medal, 2022 Critics Challenge International Wine Competition

Wisdom Point is an award winning Western Cape winery for good reason. They are dedicated to diversity, cultural integrity and adhering to the wine making traditions of the region. I’ll be writing about their Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon in later posts but this label never disappoints. Give it a try!

Slàinte!

Flavor Profile:
Sweetness Acidity Body Flavor intensity Flavor characteristics Aroma	Dry Medium Medium Medium Peach, Grapefruit, Wet Stones Citrus Zest, White blossoms.

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