Posted on February 1, 2012
French Wines from Independent Vintners for the Independent Thinker
Aliane Wines is a small San Diego importer and distributor owned by two
Anita Busquets and Aline Thiebault
hard-working ladies, Aline Thiebault and Anita Busquets. Their focus is in bringing small producers from France who are committed to sustainable agriculture yet making old world wines for the new world palate. They have built personal relationships with growers and wine makers and started importing wines into the States. Aline, daughter of a cooper in Burgundy, always dreamed of being an “ambassador of Burgundy”. She has built many strong relationships with growers and wine makers in Burgundy. (In this business, strong relationships are what matters whether you are a wine grower, wine maker, distributor or buyer). Anita has an amazing palate with a strong business sense. After graduating from Cornell and receiving her MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management, she went on to receive her level 3 Sommelier diploma from the International Guild of Sommeliers. (more…)
Posted on December 2, 2011
Llai Llai Chardonnay Bio Bi Valley 2009
I recently returned from a trip to Chile. While I was there, I had the opportunity to taste wines from a number of appellations, and I learned that things are changing. Previously, Chile has been known for producing a high quality wine at a low price. They were producing high yields in as many regions as they could. I understand their reasoning was to enter the American market at a low price. This smart strategy gained the world’s attention, and now we have learned: Chile has much more to offer!
Over the last decade, there has been a shift in wine making, specifically the wine makers. We have seen an increase in foreign, as well as younger, wine makers. Proud of their terroir, these new players are more forward thinking and turned their focus to the
farming process, specifically the soil and climate conditions. Plots of land are selected based on how suitable they will be for a specific grape. This makes for a superior bottle of wine.
Today’s feature is LLAI LLAI Chardonnay from the Southern region,
Bio Bio. The Bio Bio Valley is gaining more attention for its cool
climate and ability to produce high quality Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay. This wine is hand harvested from a single vineyard at Miraflores Estate. It goes through 30% fermentation in French oak and 100% malolactic, which is helpful because the cooler climate
increases the acidity. It is rich and crisp with subtle hints of apple and pear. More intriguing, however, was the full bodied mouth feel and the fresh raciness. Delicious on its own, the LLAI LLAI
Chardonnay is better paired with fresh Abalone or Corvina. This
featured wine is a win win–great quality at a great price!
Retails $13
Prime Cru $8
Click here for more information on Prime Cru Wine Club
Posted on November 18, 2011
Paradigm Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
When 333 Pacific opened in December 2008, I tasted a wide variety of wines while writing the list. One thing I noticed was the difference between the wines made from female and male wine makers. Generally speaking, I found wines from female wine makers to be more elegant and rounded, whereas some of the wines from male wine makers were more bold and upfront. Today’s feature is Heidi Peterson-Barrett’s Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon.
Heidi is a very well-known and sought after wine maker in Napa, California. She is most famous for her cult project, Screaming Eagle. Owners Ren and Marilyn Harris have Heidi making wines specifically for Paradigm. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. There is an influence of oak expressed with aromas of chocolate, yet it retains elegance. Also present is an aroma of black fruit and berries. Many Napa wines tend to lose their original palate due to over manipulation, but this is where Heidi differs. With her hands off approach, Heidi has allowed the grape, and the land it comes from, to shine.
We are proud to have Heidi Peterson-Barrett’s Paradigm Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon. Made in 2005, this bottle is starting to show its age and only getting better. Enjoy with a grilled rack of lamb or a filet topped with crab and Bearnaise.
90 pts Wine Connoissuer’s guide
Retail Price $59 Bottle
Prime Cru $35 Bottle
Learn about Prime Cru
Posted on November 15, 2011
Two years of Prime Cru have come and gone, and since our inception in late 2009 we have grown to over 1600 members. As I looked over everyone’s questionnaires, I was overwhelmed with how many Napa Cab drinkers we have. So to stay true to our members, I ring in the New Year with a Napa Cab. But not just any Napa Cab, this is the quintessential winery out of Napa,
Vineyard 29.
Vineyard 29 is known for its state of the art winery and its constant pursuit of quality through science. What Vineyard 29 also finds to be true is… “ …surround yourself with great people and you too will be great.” This has been the case since the beginning. The vineyards were planted by the infamous David Abreu and the
cuttings came from neighboring Grace Family Vineyards. The winery has had many great wine makers in its past such as Heidi Barret and today, Philippe Melka. (more…)
Posted on November 10, 2011
Marcelo Retamal of DeMartino and Felipe Tosso of Ventisquero
Sometimes we can go searching for the best and never find it. We can spend hours and days and years trying everything we can just to make sure that we don’t miss the best. Well on my recent trip to Chile, I wanted to find the best. I knew I had 10 days to travel and taste through dozens of vineyards and hundreds of wines. The journey was going to start in Santiago with a short seminar/introduction on the terroir of Chile given by Marcelo Retamal. Marcelo Retamal is the wine maker for DeMartino. Sure enough, on the first day I got to try some of the best.
(more…)
