New Wines for the Fall
September 04, 2010Saturday 4:00pm until 7:00pm (or until it's gone)
$5 per person
2008 Jekel Riesling $13.95
California, Monterey CountyFounded in 1972, Jekel was one of the first wineries to discover Monterey and the
surrounding area's niche conditions for growing both cool climate and warm
climate varietals. This region has both wetter coastal regions, cooled by the bay,
perfect for Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and dryer, warmer, inland valleys,
perfect for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jekel's family of wines truly express
this unique terroir!
The Monterey AVA stretches the length of the Salinas River Valley from the cooler
north known for its cool climate varietals, like our Jekel Riesling, to the warmer
south. Located in an ancient alluvial plain, the soil is sandy with cobblestones that
provide excellent drainage and store heat that is released into the vineyards in the
evenings. The combination of the mild climate, cool Monterey winds, cobblestoned
soil and afternoon fog provide the long, cool growing season that produces
outstanding Riesling with depth, character and concentrated flavors.
NOTES FROM THE WINEMAKER — CHARLIE GILMORE
Monterey's cool climate influence can be seen in this outstanding Riesling. The
aromas of mango, white peaches and green apple are highlighted with touches of
Jasmine and a light earthiness. This mid-pallet wine has a nice balance between
crisp acid and residual sugar with flavors of green apple, melon and peaches.
2009 Jekel Chardonnay $13.95
California, Arroyo Seco, MontereyThe Arroyo Seco AVA lies on the boundary of the cooler northern and warmer
southern sections of the Salinas River Valley. Located in an ancient alluvial plain,
the soil is sandy with potato sized cobblestones that provide excellent drainage and
store heat that is released into the vineyards in the evenings. The combination of the
cool Monterey winds, cobblestoned soil and afternoon fog provide the long, cool
growing season that produces outstanding Chardonnay and cool climate varietals
with depth, character and concentrated flavors.
NOTES FROM THE WINEMAKER — CHARLIE GILMORE
THE TERROIR – Arroyo Seco, Monterey
The 2009 growing season proved to be mild, cool and long. The cooler growing
season, combined with the Monterey winds and afternoon fog, characteristic of the
Arroyo Seco, gave the fruit a nice long hang time. The additional hang time produced
fruit with great depth and character, allowing us to once again craft the quality
cool-climate Chardonnay that consumers have come to expect from Jekel Vineyards.
For the 2009 vintage, I increased the percentage of the wine that I barrel-fermented
sur lees. I used three-year-old barrels to add only a slight oak aroma, but allowed me
to craft a nice full wine. The aromas of apricot, pear and melon are highlighted with
touches of Jasmine, licorice and light passion fruit with just a touch of oak. This full
wine has a crisp acid backbone and light minerality that is reflective of its Arroyo Seco
appellation. A smooth, rich mouth-feel with nice flavors of orange peel highlighted
with floral notes and a hint of oak creates a delightful harmony of flavors.
2007 La Bete Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard $29.95
Oregon, YamhillMcMinnville AVA, sedimentary soils and Organically and Biodynamically grown. I have worked with Momtazi vineyards for several years as well, and their fruit is always more of the brawny style. Some tannins when young, with bold flavors and a wine that can be aged very nicely.
La Bete wines is a collaborative effort between John Eliassen and Kay Kusy-Eliassen. Both John and Kay have worked in the Oregon wine business for a combined 60 years. 195 cases produced.
2007 Jekel Merlot $16.95
California, Arroyo Seco, MontereyNOTES FROM THE WINEMAKER – DENNIS MARTIN
The 2007 vintage was a beautiful year. From bud break to harvest, Mother Nature coddled the winegrower and his charge. Lack of rainfall early on and some scattered showers towards the middle October caused some concern for winemakers, but the dry weather that followed ensured that there were no problems in the vineyards. This allowed further hang time and the Merlot was harvested in the first week of November.
An extended maturation gives this wine a brilliant color and softer tannins. There are aromas of cassis, hazelnut, laurel and ripe black plums. 100% malolactic fermentation gives this medium-bodied wine a wonderful, full mouth-feel with flavors of plum blackberry and a hint of oak spice. This wine shows great promise.
2007 Jekel Cabernet Sauvignon $16.95
California, Arroyo Seco, MontereyThe Arroyo Seco's influence can be seen in this Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a deep garnet color with aromas of plum, dark fruits and black cherry with spice from the oak used in its aging. This substantial wine is medium to bull-bodied, with chewy tannins and a lingering finish. In the glass, flavors of fruit compete with classic cabernet touches of cocoa, forest floor and a pleasant earthiness. Components of Petit Verdot, Malbec and an extended maturation bring deep color, texture and complexity to the wine. Jekel Cabernet will continue to evolve in the bottle for three to seven years.
2006 Trapiche Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon $17.95
Argentina, MendozaVarietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 100%.
Rich, perfumed, with a good balance between depth and power. Aromas of cassis and raspberry jam.
Elegant touch of smoke, roasted pepper and chocolate. Soft, complex and very long aftertaste.
Food pairings: Ideal to combine with pasta, grilled red meats and stews.
Soil: Clay soils, settled on boulders.
Process: Hand harvesting in 20 kg plastic cases.
Bunch selection
Destemming.
Berry selection.
Fermentation and maceration in small concrete vats, during a minimum of 25 days at 23-25ºC.
Pneumatic pressing.
Natural malolactic fermentation.
Aged for 15 months in new French and American oak barrels.
Filtering.
