Search results for "decanter x winehours | masterclasses"

Winemaker Notes The 2015 winegrowing year was marked by striking contrasts in climate, starting with a particularly cold spring, followed by a prolonged period of hot, dry weather that lasted until the end of August. When the harvest began on 7 September, in brilliant sunshine, the vines were impeccably healthy, revealing the exceptional generosity and balance of the grapes. This vintage aromatic wine promises a remarkable aromatic richness, capturing the unique essence of the year. About Winery Dom Pierre Pérignon, a French Benedictine monk, set out his vision to "create the best wine in the world" when he became Cellar Master at the sacred Abbey of Hautvillers in 1668. Dom Pérignon dedicated over 40 years to this mission, employing a visionary spirit and daring approach to the wine making process. Over that time, he became known as the "father of champagne" for laying down the fundamental rules for the traditional Champagne production method (La Methode Champenoise or Traditionelle). A favored wine of the Sun King Louis XIV, Dom Pérignon himself compared his wine to "drinking stars". Dom Pérignon: an absolute commitment to VintageDom Pérignon's commitment to vintage is absolute. Each Dom Pérignon is a true act of creation, made from only the best grapes. The champagne's intensity is based in precision, so inviting, so mysterious. Each Vintage has three Plénitudes, and embodies the total faith in the creation that is constantly renewed by Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon. Coupled with a bold sense of playfulness, Dom Pérignon inspires the greatest creators in the world.Made only from the best grapes grown in one single year, each Dom Perignon's Vintage represents a harmonic balance between the nature of the year and the signature of Dom Pérignon. After no fewer than 8 years of elaboration, each vintage emerges complete, seamless and tactile. Dom Pérignon Champagne is made through an assemblage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, created by using only the best grapes harvested from the 17 Grands Crus in Champagne and the Premier Cru of Hautvillers.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Light notes of lemon curd show on the nose of this Uco Valley Chardonnay. A blend of white fruit and delicate spices is complemented by refreshing acidity on the tasty palate.    About Winery At the end of the 1950s, the famous French Champagne house, Moët & Chandon, realized there was an enormous potential for growth in South America. They sent their wine analyst, Renaud Poirier, to study the possibility of expansion. Monsieur Poirier finally proved that Luján de Cuyo, a region within the province of Mendoza, was the best place for the birth of fine wines. In 1960, Chandon Argentina was established, the first subsidiary of Moët & Chandon outside France. To make the Terrazas de los Andes wines, Chandon Argentina took the initiative to restore this building, located in the heart of Perdriel and at the foot of the imposing Cordón del Plata (a section of the Andes Mountain Range). In the past, Chandon Argentina made only sparkling and generic still wines, however at the beginning of the '90s fueled by a political system more orientated towards an international market, a varietal wines project was born, to which Terrazas has now become the reality. Situated in Perdriel there is an old Spanish style winery that was used by Pedro Domecq to create his brandy. Renaud Poirier asked Domecq if he could use his equipment to make the first experimental vintages, between 1957 and 1959. Thirty years later Terrazas de los Andes was born, a tributary of Chandon Argentina dedicated exclusively to the production of varietal wines.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The Armand de Brignac Rosé (Ace of Spades) presents a vibrant and luxurious profile, opening with aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants, lifted by hints of citrus zest and delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is rich yet elegant, combining layers of ripe red fruits with subtle pastry, vanilla, and mineral undertones, supported by crisp acidity and fine bubbles. The addition of still Pinot Noir lends depth and intensity, giving the wine a fuller body and a striking salmon-pink hue. The finish is long and refined, marked by chalky minerality and lingering notes of red berries and spice, making it both indulgent and sophisticated. About Winery Armand de Brignac, also known as “Ace of Spades,” is a French luxury champagne brand originally registered by Champagne Cattier in the 1950s, but it remained obscure until its relaunch in 2006 as a prestige cuvée. Produced in Chigny-les-Roses by the Cattier family, who have cultivated vineyards since 1763, the brand gained global fame when rapper Jay-Z embraced it following a dispute with Cristal Champagne and later acquired it outright in 2014. In 2021, Jay-Z sold a 50% stake to LVMH, cementing Armand de Brignac’s position as a symbol of exclusivity and modern luxury, with its iconic metallic bottles and multi-vintage blends.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Each block was picked by hand at night, and firm, cool clusters were delivered to the winery before sunrise. We hand-sorted the clusters then transferred them into a bladder press. After gentle pressing, the juice settled for 24 hours before we carefully racked it to French oak barrels, 64% new. Native yeast slowly guided alcoholic fermentation, with measured batonnage until malolactic fermentation was complete. The wine aged sur lie for 15 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. About Winery Wayfarer is the manifestation of a remarkable place, masterful winemaking, and the drive to go to extremes to create something truly exceptional. After nearly 30 years as an acclaimed Napa Valley vintner, Jayson Pahlmeyer became increasingly entranced by the wines of Burgundy. “Every oenophile eventually gravitates to the wines of Burgundy,” he says. In the early 1990s, Jayson began seeking out the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards in the world. A close friend, legendary French wine importer Martine Saunier, had located two parcels for sale in Burgundy – Clos de la Roche, a Grand Cru Pinot Noir vineyard in Côte de Nuits Grand Cru, and Corton Vergennes, a Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyard in Corton. His winemaker, Helen Turley, was to make the wine with the hands-on assistance of the renowned Michel Niellon at his Chassagne-Montrachet winery. However, just after the papers were signed, the deal was nullified by an obscure Burgundian real estate clause that permitted last-minute alternative offers. Though these iconic vineyards faded from his dreams, Jayson knew that, eventually, the perfect site would present itself. He just didn’t realize it would be six years later in the remote hills of the Sonoma Coast at a small farm called Wayfarer.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The 2022 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett is a beautifully refined Mosel wine. It opens with a bright, flinty nose layered with citrus, white peach, and delicate floral notes, underpinned by crushed rock minerality. On the palate, it is pure and precise, showing lush fruit balanced by vibrant acidity and a saline, slate-driven character. Despite the challenges of the warm vintage, it retains remarkable freshness, complexity, and length, finishing with a stimulating mineral persistence that makes it both food-friendly and age-worthy. About Winery Joh. Jos. Prüm is one of Germany’s most iconic Mosel wineries, founded in 1911 by Johann Josef Prüm after the division of the larger S.A. Prüm estate. The Prüm family, however, had already been established in Wehlen for centuries, with records of their winemaking presence dating back over 400 years. Johann Josef’s son, Sebastian, was instrumental in shaping the estate’s reputation during the 1930s and 1940s, developing the distinct style of elegant, mineral-driven Rieslings that became their hallmark. After Sebastian’s death in 1969, his son Dr. Manfred Prüm took over, further elevating the estate’s global prestige. Today, the winery is managed by Manfred alongside his daughter Katharina Prüm, continuing the family tradition of producing world-class Rieslings from legendary Mosel vineyards such as Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich, and Bernkasteler Badstube.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The 2019 Numanthia is a Spanish red wine from the Toro region, produced by Bodega Numanthia, made from 100% Tinta de Toro grapes. It is a full-bodied, powerful wine with notes of ripe black fruits, vanilla, and spice, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. The wine is known for its structure, firm tannins, and long finish.  About Winery Numanthia is located in the Toro region of Spain. Its four vineyards are located along the south bank of the Duero River. The wine is named after a legendary Spanish city that was destroyed (after 20 yrs of resistance) by Roman legions. It is to Spain what the hilltop village of Masada is to Israel: a monument of history. Its 40 hectares of land are covered with an abundance of elements derived from the disintegration of Pliocene grit, clay and limestone. Numanthia's first vintage was produced in 1998 and received a 95-point rating from Robert Parker. Since then, the Toro region has been producing wines that have begun to rival those of Spain's richest wine-producing regions of Ribera del Duero, Rioja and Priorat.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 Plénitude 2 reveals a soft, warm and reassuring sweet bouquet, rich in subtle nuances. The palate of Dom Pérignon 2006 is full bodied, both restrained and tender, developing into a thick texture that gradually becomes firmer. About Winery Dom Pierre Pérignon, a French Benedictine monk, set out his vision to "create the best wine in the world" when he became Cellar Master at the sacred Abbey of Hautvillers in 1668. Dom Pérignon dedicated over 40 years to this mission, employing a visionary spirit and daring approach to the wine making process. Over that time, he became known as the "father of champagne" for laying down the fundamental rules for the traditional Champagne production method (La Methode Champenoise or Traditionelle). A favored wine of the Sun King Louis XIV, Dom Pérignon himself compared his wine to "drinking stars". Dom Pérignon: an absolute commitment to VintageDom Pérignon's commitment to vintage is absolute. Each Dom Pérignon is a true act of creation, made from only the best grapes. The champagne's intensity is based in precision, so inviting, so mysterious. Each Vintage has three Plénitudes, and embodies the total faith in the creation that is constantly renewed by Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon. Coupled with a bold sense of playfulness, Dom Pérignon inspires the greatest creators in the world.Made only from the best grapes grown in one single year, each Dom Perignon's Vintage represents a harmonic balance between the nature of the year and the signature of Dom Pérignon. After no fewer than 8 years of elaboration, each vintage emerges complete, seamless and tactile. Dom Pérignon Champagne is made through an assemblage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, created by using only the best grapes harvested from the 17 Grands Crus in Champagne and the Premier Cru of Hautvillers.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes (JS | 93) The 2016 Numanthia Termanthia is a powerful, full-bodied red wine from Toro, Spain, known for its intense flavors and elegant structure. Winemaker notes describe it as having a deep, ripe cherry color with ruby reflections. The nose is complex, featuring layers of ripe red and black fruits, sweet spices like clove and nutmeg, and floral hints of violet and carnation alongside aromatic herbs like lavender and rosemary. The palate offers a sweet, fresh attack with velvety tannins and a long finish characterized by black fruit, sweet spices, and earthy nuances.  About Winery Numanthia is located in the Toro region of Spain. Its four vineyards are located along the south bank of the Duero River. The wine is named after a legendary Spanish city that was destroyed (after 20 yrs of resistance) by Roman legions. It is to Spain what the hilltop village of Masada is to Israel: a monument of history. Its 40 hectares of land are covered with an abundance of elements derived from the disintegration of Pliocene grit, clay and limestone. Numanthia's first vintage was produced in 1998 and received a 95-point rating from Robert Parker. Since then, the Toro region has been producing wines that have begun to rival those of Spain's richest wine-producing regions of Ribera del Duero, Rioja and Priorat.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Each block was picked by hand at night, and firm, cool clusters were delivered to the winery before sunrise. We hand-sorted the clusters then transferred them into a bladder press. After gentle pressing, the juice settled for 24 hours before we carefully racked it to French oak barrels, 64% new. Native yeast slowly guided alcoholic fermentation, with measured batonnage until malolactic fermentation was complete. The wine aged sur lie for 15 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. About Winery Wayfarer is the manifestation of a remarkable place, masterful winemaking, and the drive to go to extremes to create something truly exceptional. After nearly 30 years as an acclaimed Napa Valley vintner, Jayson Pahlmeyer became increasingly entranced by the wines of Burgundy. “Every oenophile eventually gravitates to the wines of Burgundy,” he says. In the early 1990s, Jayson began seeking out the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards in the world. A close friend, legendary French wine importer Martine Saunier, had located two parcels for sale in Burgundy – Clos de la Roche, a Grand Cru Pinot Noir vineyard in Côte de Nuits Grand Cru, and Corton Vergennes, a Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyard in Corton. His winemaker, Helen Turley, was to make the wine with the hands-on assistance of the renowned Michel Niellon at his Chassagne-Montrachet winery. However, just after the papers were signed, the deal was nullified by an obscure Burgundian real estate clause that permitted last-minute alternative offers. Though these iconic vineyards faded from his dreams, Jayson knew that, eventually, the perfect site would present itself. He just didn’t realize it would be six years later in the remote hills of the Sonoma Coast at a small farm called Wayfarer.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes The 2015 winegrowing year was marked by striking contrasts in climate, starting with a particularly cold spring, followed by a prolonged period of hot, dry weather that lasted until the end of August. When the harvest began on 7 September, in brilliant sunshine, the vines were impeccably healthy, revealing the exceptional generosity and balance of the grapes. This vintage aromatic wine promises a remarkable aromatic richness, capturing the unique essence of the year. About Winery Dom Pierre Pérignon, a French Benedictine monk, set out his vision to "create the best wine in the world" when he became Cellar Master at the sacred Abbey of Hautvillers in 1668. Dom Pérignon dedicated over 40 years to this mission, employing a visionary spirit and daring approach to the wine making process. Over that time, he became known as the "father of champagne" for laying down the fundamental rules for the traditional Champagne production method (La Methode Champenoise or Traditionelle). A favored wine of the Sun King Louis XIV, Dom Pérignon himself compared his wine to "drinking stars". Dom Pérignon: an absolute commitment to VintageDom Pérignon's commitment to vintage is absolute. Each Dom Pérignon is a true act of creation, made from only the best grapes. The champagne's intensity is based in precision, so inviting, so mysterious. Each Vintage has three Plénitudes, and embodies the total faith in the creation that is constantly renewed by Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon. Coupled with a bold sense of playfulness, Dom Pérignon inspires the greatest creators in the world.Made only from the best grapes grown in one single year, each Dom Perignon's Vintage represents a harmonic balance between the nature of the year and the signature of Dom Pérignon. After no fewer than 8 years of elaboration, each vintage emerges complete, seamless and tactile. Dom Pérignon Champagne is made through an assemblage of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, created by using only the best grapes harvested from the 17 Grands Crus in Champagne and the Premier Cru of Hautvillers.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes (V | 90) Light and bright in color. The nose has very intense aromas of orange peels and red currant. The wine in the Winery History Château Minuty was founded in 1936 by Gabriel Farnet in Gassin, on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, and quickly became one of Provence’s most respected rosé producers. In 1955, it was awarded the prestigious Cru Classé des Côtes de Provence designation, a recognition given to only 23 estates. The winery has remained family-run, with the Farnet-Matton family continuing its legacy of hand-harvesting and sustainable viticulture. Over the decades, Minuty built a reputation for crafting elegant, sun-soaked rosés that embody the Mediterranean lifestyle, and in 2023, luxury group LVMH acquired a majority stake, further elevating Minuty’s global profile as a benchmark for premium Provençal rosé.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Lifted aromas of Key lime, honeydew melon, and passion fruit all jump out of the glass supported by hints of freshly cut grass in the background. Those fresh lime and honeydew flavors continue to the palate, joined by kiwi and subtle herbaceous notes, all mingling together in a lively way. The wine is linear and focused, ending with enticing, mouthwatering acidity that will leave you wanting more. About Winery Founded in 1980, by Koerner and Joan Rombauer, Rombauer Vineyards has been producing acclaimed wines from Napa Valley and the Sierra Foothills ever since. Still family owned and operated, our winery is known for its high-quality wines, exceptional vineyard sites, and family-style hospitality. In 1972, when Koerner and Joan Rombauer moved their two children, two horses and five dogs to Napa Valley, they were already well acquainted with the natural relationship between food and wine. Koerner’s great aunt Irma Rombauer wrote the internationally renowned cookbook, The Joy of Cooking, and his German ancestors had deep roots in the winegrowing region of Rheingau. Koerner and Joan established Rombauer Vineyards in 1980, and in 1984 they released their first California-style Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Four decades later–and still family owned–the winery has become widely acclaimed for its distinctive, fruit-driven expressions. Our first vintage was our 1980 Cabernet followed by our 1982 Chardonnay. We still make and cherish those wines as well as many others. 

Read more less