france
2016 Prospect 772 Wine Company Black Tie Charlie – A Big, Bold and Jammy Blend
The Wine – “Wine is bottled Poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Pulled our last bottle of a 2016 Black Tie Charlie the other night. It was time as you could see the wicking of the wine on the cork. Caught it just before cresting at top! The Black Tie Charlie is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah. The wine was perfectly preserved and represented a beautiful blend of these two strong grapes. First, on the eyes a deep cavernous black coloring, a foreboding of what is to spring forth of dark fruit. On the nose floral notes of violets and soft black licorice waft gently with aromatic nuances. On the palate, it is where these two varietals comingling produce layers upon layers of enjoyment. A synchronized orchestra of blackberries, blueberries, dark cherry and plum swirl about the mouth. Secondary muted notes of black pepper, vanilla and an earthiness ricochet from side to side. The finish is long with flavors of herbs, soft pipe tobacco, counterbalanced with a big, bold and jammy conclusion. This has been one of my favorite blends for 10 years now!
Today’s vintage is 2021 and sells for $33/bottle which is a bargain for such a bold and expressive wine.
The Winery
While only open to the public Thursday to Sunday, this is one winery worthy of visiting in Calaveras County. Founders Ron Pieretti and Wendy Sanda recently sold the winery to Francis & Kristina Johnson, and they are continuing to produce some exceptional Rhone varietals.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the tasting room has a “down home comfortability” and welcoming factor. To find Prospect 772, it is just off Highway 4 a few miles before reaching Angels Camp. Signs show where to turn and approximately one mile down this private road leads to 25 acres which comprises both the vineyards and tasting room.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Prospect 772 has stayed true to their mission of producing exciting Rhone varietals. Each of their wines has a descriptive name so I will provide that and then the varietals used in the production. Currently the wine line up is:
Tatum’s Grace – 50% Roussanne, 50% Viogner
Sparkling GSM Brut Rose – Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
Baby Doll – Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre
The Stray – 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Syrah
The Truant – 71% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 7% Mourvedre
The Shadow – 41% Petite Sirah, 28% Grenache, 19% Syrah and 12% Mourvedre
The Brat – 84% Grenache and 16% Syrah
The Brawler – 94% Syrah and 6% Viognier
The Instigator – 100% Syrah
Big Nose Pete – 100% Petite Sirah
Black Tie Charlie – 50% Syrah and 50% Petite Sirah
Slainte,
Michael
2022 Domaine Jomain Bourgogne Côte-d’Or White Burgundy
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Background
Photo from Encyclopedia Britannica
Bourgogne Côte-d’Or (meaning slope of gold or golden slope) is a department created during the French Revolution in 1790. It was originally part of the old province of Burgundy. Its history includes reassignment of arrondissements (land) and after the battle of Waterloo (1815) the area was controlled by the Austrian army until 1818. The area was once again rearranged in 1926 and finally Bourgogne Côte d’Or classification was created in 2017 in the Burgundy region. This area can produce red and white wines in the 40 villages of Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. This area is allowed only to make Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
This wine was recommended by a trusted friend, Jim Denham of the Wine Steward in Pleasanton, California. I was looking for a “less expensive Puligny-Montrachet” Chardonnay wine and his recommendation was correct.
Winery & Vineyard
Photo from Domaine Jomain
The Jomain family vineyard consists of only 22 acres with portions in and around the famous Puligny-Montrachet region. The winemakers are Philippe and Christophe Jomain. Domaine Jomain makes a variety of Chardonnay wines with various price points.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While having a full out unbashful love affair with Puligny-Montrachet wines, this wine fell a bit short of classical poetry, but still had an e.e. cummings sense about it. This wine on the eyes was a light-yellow straw color. On the nose, mild floral notes with a hint of vanilla. This is a crisp and clean wine on the palate with minerality coming from the calcareous soil in the area. The finish is a bit abbreviated length and very dry, showing a typical French Chardonnay of noble statue.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
A solid and tight wine, but it simply fell short of my expectations of the quality of Puligny-Montrachet. However, to its merit, the price is typically in the $30-40 range. A very good comparison and contrast to our typical California Chardonnay wines.
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
Chosen this evening to compliment the food pairing of Bok Choy chicken stir fry. Ingredients were cut chicken breasts, bok choy, cornstarch, canola oil, dark sesame oil, cut white onion, ginger root, minced garlic, water and low sodium soy sauce. Served with both white sesame and roasted sesame seeds. Accompanied by Jasmine rice. A very delightful and good food pairing.
Slainte,
Michael