July 2025 Red & White
Reds
The Calling Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2021
Deep plum red with rich and complex aromas. Layers of ripe blackberry fruit, mocha, and warm vanilla spice with subtle hints of nutmeg. The palate is bold with notes of cherry pie, coffee and a rich warm and spicy oak finish.
The Paso Robles Estrella District consists of almost 67,000 acres of valley floor and floodplain, with star-like ridgelines and the Estrella River running through the region. Warm days are tempered by maritime breezes and downslope winds. Alluvial soils ranging from sandy loams to clay loams provide an ideal environment for cultivating high-quality wine grapes, particularly Cabernet, standing out as one of Paso Robles’ premier regions During production, the grapes underwent a cold soak with small batch fermentation, and the wine was bottled after 18 months of aging in French Oak. This 2021 vintage is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Product Reviews:
Wine Enthusiast, 90 points
Domaine LeSeurre La Marinière Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes, 2021
Originally from Champagne, France, Céline and Sébastien LeSeurre are a French husband and wife winemaking team living and working in the Finger Lakes. When they first moved to New York, they explored the Finger Lakes by visiting and sampling grapes from the many different terroirs — geography, geology, and climate of a certain place — and soon determined this is the best place to grow beautiful grapes and craft fine wine together.
Made of 100% Cabernet Franc, 100% terroir selection of the Finger Lakes sourced from a single terroir of clay. The juice had 22 days of skin contact (with an initial 4 days of cold soak), and is aged in stainless steel tanks for 9 months.
This particular wine has been inspired by the iconic French sailor shirt. It has a sense of freedom, and the spirit of summer. With its “je ne sais quoi” style, this Cabernet Franc can be sipped for all occasions. It is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of foods due to its herbaceous notes, medium body, and bright acidity. It complements both meat and vegetarian dishes, especially those with earthy or tomato-based flavors.
Whites
Honig Rutherford Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2023
Made of 100% Estate fruit, this wine contains 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. 39% of the blend was selected from lots that were fermented in stainless steel tanks, using up to six different yeast selections. The remainder of the blend (61%) was fermented in new, specially selected, French oak barrels and puncheons. The barrel fermented portion of the blend underwent a secondary (malolactic) fermentation.
Lovely honeydew melon and Meyer lemon notes on the nose are complemented by lime curd and jasmine. The round mid-palate leads seamlessly into a lengthy finish with plenty of minerality and fruit characters to balance it. This is a complex and remarkably ageable Sauvignon Blanc that can be enjoyed now through 2028 and beyond.
Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, known for its bright acidity and citrus notes, pairs well with a variety of dishes, especially those featuring fresh herbs, seafood, and lighter meats. Specifically, it shines with dishes that include fresh goat cheese, lemon-based sauces, and spring vegetables like peas and asparagus.
Lemelson Vineyards White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2024
Lemelson Vineyards was built with the intention of building a legacy that would not only serve wine drinkers, but also preserve the longevity of the state of Oregon. They use organic farming methods and gravity flow production, and even the facility was constructed using a high proportion of sustainably harvested building materials, including certified lumber from Collins Lumber, a family owned timber producer based in Oregon, and other sustainably-produced materials, including oak flooring from trees surrounding the winery and vineyards.
This wine was made similarly to a Pinot Gris and sent directly to press to avoid color extraction. The juice was fermented cold in a stainless steel tank to preserve freshness. The resulting wine is pretty and rich with stone fruit characteristics like ripe peach and citrus fruits like Meyer lemon and tangerine. There are also intriguing notes of fig and white flower, all of which complement the wine’s elegant, dry palate.
This wine would be a perfect pairing to a crab and avocado salad with lemon dressing, or with cream-based soups and dishes with cream-based sauces. Pinot Noir in all its forms is a great partner to mushrooms, so if you’re a mushroom lover, this is a perfect time for a portobello on the grill!
