2021 Terminim “Cépages d’ Or” – Grapes of Gold
The Winery
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Terminim, a collaboration between Francois Villard and Donald Patz, produced this 2021 Cepages d’Or. Terminim is one of the wineries founded by Donald Patz in 2017. His other brands are 1) Secret Door making Cabernet Sauvignon from selected vineyards exclusively from the Napa Valley and 2) Maritana making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
The man behind these three astonishing labels had this vision and energy combined with 40 years of making exquisite wines. Wine aficionados have already acknowledge his craftsmanship in bringing forth these wines and also many wine judges!
Click on links below to read more:
The Wine – 2021 Terminim Cépages d’ Or – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Cépages d’ Or means “grapes of gold”. The grapes come from Alder Springs Vineyard in Mendocino County, California. Here they combined four exquisite grapes to form a blend of golden wine (Cepages d’ Or). The four grapes were 50.4% Marsanne, 31.2% Roussanne, 9.5% Picpoul Blanc and 8.9% Viognier. This glistening golden blend provided one of the most robust and full bodied wines. The viscosity was heavy, one twirl and it stopped in its tracks! A crisp and lively wine. On the nose and mouth, a symphony of flavors burst forth every nanosecond to provide one of the most thrilling white wines in the market. Strong praise and definitely deserved.
What I enjoy about a Marsanne and Roussanne predominate mix is the interplay between these two grape varieties. The Marsanne defined by ripe pear with some lemon notes with toasted almonds. Roussanne, being complex with the distinct honey, floral and light apricot flavors. They have a characteristic oily texture and a full body that more resembles a red wine.
The Food and Wine Pairing – “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Paired with a spicy Chicken Pad Thai dish. The ingredients were ramen noodles, virgin olive oil, minced garlic, cooked chicken, eggs, bean sprouts, red bell pepper, green onions, crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro and lime juice. The Pad Thai sauce included fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, Sriracha (used a little extra this evening) and creamy peanut butter! Limes were plated to squeeze the juice over the top of the dish along with cilantro and extra crushed peanuts added on top.
One of the best food and wine pairings especially with this wine. In the past I have paired this dish with Chardonnay’s and dry Viognier’s and this wine provided the right amount of body and flavor to complement the Pad Thai. It will definitely make the Best Wines tasted for 2024! Timing for the Best Wines List 2024 runs from December 15th 2023 to December 15th 2024. The link to the best wines tasted in 2023 can be found at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2023/12/15/best-wines-tasted-in-2023/
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year to all.
Sláinte,
Michael