The Alliance of Women in Washington Wines

A couple of weeks ago, I saw on Facebook that Fiona Mack (SMAK Wines) was asking for donations to the Alliance of Women in Washington Wines in celebration of her birthday, so I made a donation. It's a worthy organization. Here's why. 

The Mission Statement is: "The Alliance of Women in Washington Wines is a safe place for your voice to be heard without judgment, and you can safely ask for advice on how to positively change your working environment or career trajectory." The goals are to Inspire, Connect and Advance. 

The Alliance provides forums for women in the wine industry, mentorship and scholarships for enology and viticulture education. For more information, go to www.awwawine.org.

The Alliance's officers are: Tiffany Britton (Brainstorm Cellars), President, K D. Organ (Coventry Vale), Vice President, Maureen Allen Johnson (Goose Ridge), Treasurer and Rebecca Alberts (Fidelitas), Secretary.

This organization deserves the support of all in the wine industry.

More New French Wines

There are some more French wines tasted recently. See last week's Blog posting for others.

N. V. Prosper Maufoux Crémant de Bourgogne Brut ($19.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay, this sparking wine offers brilliant gold color, streaming bubbles and aromas of pear-apple, peach grapefruit, a hint of mango, apple blossoms, white flowers and wet stone. The flavors are fresh and lively, accented by grape skins, peach stones a minerals. The back picks up pear and peach liqueurs and touches of brioche and crème fraiche, followed by a CO2 enlivened Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

N. V. Prosper Maufoux Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé ($19.99 - wine.com) - This Rosé displays a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and enticing aromas of strawberry, red currant, pink cherry and blood orange with scents of cherry and orange blossoms and pink incense. The flavors are bright and lively, with red fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and granitic minerals. The back is enlivened by fraise and cassis liqueurs, orange peel and CO2 on the way to a bracing, finely fruited Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine André Bonhomme Mâcon Villages, Vieilles Vignes ($19.99 - wine.com) - From a grower in Viré, this offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of pear, peach, grapefruit, pear blossoms, acacia flowers and lemon verbena. The flavors are vigorous (old vines) with pure Chardonnay flavors that are accented by grape and pear skins and stony minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of crème fraiche, hazelnut and grapefruit, followed by a nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Louis Jadot Savigny-les-Beaune Blanc, Premier Cru, Clos des Guettes ($54.99 - wine.com) - Most Savigny-les-Beaune is red, but a small amount of white wine is produced. This one shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and lovely aromas of Bosc pear, white peach, lemon custard, pear tree blossoms, wisteria and gunflint. The flavors are pure Chardonnay, almost laser-like, with steely fruits that are imbued with grape and pear skins, peach stones and granitic minerals. The penetration continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of lemon custard and almonds, followed by a lingering, persistently minerally finish. 19+/20 points. 

2019 Domaine Servin Chablis, "Les Fargues" ($29.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - This comes from a vineyard sandwiched between Premier Crus Vosgros and Montmains. It shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and striking aromas of green apple, white peach, lime, apple blossoms, jasmine and flintstone. The flavors are crisp and dynamic, with white and green fruits that are accented by grape and apple skins and oyster shell. The resonance continues on the back with sensations of Calvados and pêche liqueurs and lime zest, followed by a persistently minneraly finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Justin Girardin Bourgogne Rouge ($24.99 - Esquin) - From a grower in Santenay, this shows a purplish color, typical of a young Pinot Noir, and ripe aromas of raspberry, cherry, currant, red roses, bayberry, orange peel and whiffs of baking spices. The flavors are medium bodied, yet substantial and mouth filling, with red fruits that ate intermixed with red licorice, cocoa powder, orange pekoe tea and earth. The slightly chewy textured back picks up red fruit liqueurs and recurring orange peel on the way to a ripe, pleasing moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Clos Ste. Magdelaine Cassis Blanc ($43.99 - wine.com) - Cassis is situated just east of Marseille and this is produced from Ugni Blanc, Claudette, Marsanne and Sauvignon Blanc. It shows a brilliant gold color and intense, floral aromas of pear, peach, papaya, citrus, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, butternut and yellow incense. The flavors are simultaneously viscous and laser-like, with vivid yellow and white fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and Provençal minerals. The back reveals poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of nougat and crème fraiche followed by a lingering precise fruit acid finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Famille Perrin Gigondas, "La Gille" ($34.99 - wine.com) - Deep ruby colored, this emits rich aromas of raspberry, black currant, black plum, black roses, tobacco, garrigue, cracked pepper and spiced incense. The flavors are generous and mouth filling, with copious red and black fruits that are infused with black licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and Montmirial minerals. The saturation continues on the back with macerated fruits, roasted nuts and crème de cassis, followed by an, again, peppery finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Domaine Nôtre Dame des Pallières Gigondas, "Bois des Mourres" ($32.99 - Esquin) - This combination of 80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre offers a deep ruby color and seductivre aromas of raspberry, black currant, plum, crushed roses, tobacco, lavender and spiced incense. The flavors are ample and mouth filling, with red and black fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, French roast and Montmirial minerals. On the back, the wine warms up with roasted berries and nuts, framboise and cassis liqueurs and burnt charcoal followed by a heady (16% alcohol) yet even tempered spice and pepper dusted finish. 18.5/20 points.