Walter's World, Edition No. 3

Fall is definitely in the air here in Seattle, and we are leaning into it. This month's selections include fuller bodied whites, richer reds, and a revisit of the same region and grape as a wine in our first release. 👀 Meant to pair with fall fare, we hope these wines bring you many cozy nights.

Cheers,

Chris (and Walter)

 

I | Mitja Sirk Vino Bianco 'Europeo'

2022 | Friuli, Italy | 100% Friulano

Mitja started making wine in Friuli when he was 11. E-L-E-V-E-N....... and not just as a goober like me did with various experiments of stone soup, kool-aid coolers, and the like. He made wine with Friulian legend Josko Gravner and then with other icons around the globe such as Conterno in Piemonte and Dujac in Burgundy. He's has the drive and passion for wine his whole like, though it doesn't hurt that his family owns a Michelin starred restaurant and an amazing hotel to encourage that dream along. This bottle is made from the amazingly textural Friulano, something that we featured in our first Walter's World edition from Livio Felluga. Mitja's is lighter on its feet, more ephemeral and crystalline, working as an aperitif or with manila clams cooked in a sake-miso broth.

*Wanna try it against Livio Felluga's classic? We have a few bottles still available.

 

II | Le Clos de Caillou 'Les Quartz'

2019 | Côtes du Rhône, France | 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah

The wines from Clos de Caillou always have amazing texture, and this vintage doesn't disappoint. It was a warm one in the Southern Rhone which Grenache just loves as it's a glutton for punishment. It soaks up the heat, wind, and dry weather, sitting on the vine developing flavor through it all. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, Grenache almost always outshines Pinot Noir, and I find myself drinking it more than almost any other red. It has such approachability but isn't simple and this one is blended with 20% Syrah to give it a bit more punch. Drink this on its own, with a burger, or as an elegant pairing for something a little fancy.

Jess' Fun Fact: If you look closely at the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation map, you'll see a seemingly inexplicable blank spot -- it is here that Clos du Caillou is located. Founded in 1895 by Élie Dussaud, it started as a hunting preserve, something that ironically led to its exclusion from the appellation. When the government experts arrived at the Clos in 1936 to survey the land for its inclusion in the then-new CPD appellation, they were met with armed caretakers telling them they were not welcome. That is why Le Clos du Caillou produces Côtes du Rhône inside the area of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (a rarity), leading to stunning and age-worthy reds at accessible price points.

 

III | Concinnitas Farm Aligoté

2021 | Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon

This is the latest project from our favorite duo in the Willamette Valley - Bree and Chad Stock of the ever-popular Limited Addition and Constant Crush wines. We've been pouring their Orange Crush since we opened and it was also a part of our first edition release! [If you haven't had a chance to try it yet, swing by and grab a glass or order a bottle for pickup or delivery.] Concinnitas means "everything in balance" and is a joint project between Chad + Bree and farm owners Zulima Espinel and Nate Jones. Zulima and Nate previously worked in government in DC but they wanted a different speed of life, ultimately settling in the Willamette Valley. Aligoté is a Burgundian variety classically famous for being the base in a kir cocktail but has in recent years become another face of white Burgundy. Producers like Ramonet and Aubert Villaine have embraced the variety, making serious wines of merit. Bree & Chad have made a similar style here. Full of tension, mineral, and refreshing vibrancy, it's a wine that unfolds well in the decanter for an hour. Pan-roasted halibut with resinous herbs, pomme rosti, and brussel sprouts would be my go-to pairings.

 

IV | Remelluri 'Viñedos de San Vicente'

2018 | Rioja, Spain | 95% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha

The Rodriguez family has been farming in Rioja Alavesa since the 1970s. Today the estate is run by Telmo who makes the wines and his sister Amaia Rodríguez Hernandorena who tends to the vines. Their philosophy veers from the traditional in that they want to focus on the origin of the vines rather than have a major imprint on the wine through the aging process. This particular example is a blend of eight sites within the town of San Vicente and is composed of Tempranillo and Garnacha raised in stainless steel and aged in barrels of various sizes and ages which all helps to express the place. Silken textures of ripe fruit and a dusty minerality are luxurious on the palate without being cloying. Drink this posh one with herb roasted lamb and green lentils or an eggplant and chickpea tagine.