Trending Wine: Breaking Bread, Pét Nat

Pét Nat, short for Pétillant Naturel, is French for "natural sparkling." This method of making sparkling wine pre-dates the traditional champagne method, and instead transfers wine that is still in its first fermentation to the bottle, which allows the native yeast to continue fermentation within the bottle to produce carbon dioxide which creates the delicious bubbles we all love.

Passion fruit and Bing cherry come off the nose of this wine with a distinctive, wet gravel minerality. The palate on this wine evokes a traditional Champagne in weight and fineness of bubbles; however, the easy-drinking, fruit-forward youth of the wine makes it very quaffable.

Hossfeld Vineyards

We’re thrilled to announce that Hossfeld Vineyards is now carried by TWP Distribution! Hossfeld Vineyards is a family owned and operated, extreme hillside vineyard, perched high above the valley floor in the eastern hills of Napa Valley.  The Hossfeld family has been growing the five Bordeaux varietals at our vineyard estate since 1981.  Now under second generation leadership, they bring the same dedication to land stewardship and wine growing that has made the Napa Valley exceptional.  Their passion is producing superb quality grapes and wine while spicing up the valley with a ‘highlanders’ approach.

Andremily EABA (End All Be All)

Our featured wine this month is Andremily EABA, which stands for End All Be All. We carry both the 2018 and 2019 at TWP Distribution - read more about these deliciously decadent blends.

2019

The 2019 is a blend of 61% Syrah, 24% Mourvedre, 13% Grenache and is finished off with a splash of Viognier. The 2019 jumps from the glass offering loads of rich ripe blackberries, violets, charcuterie, pepper, and olive notes, possessing a rich full texture, super fine tannins, and a finish that goes on and on.

2018

The 2018 is a delicious blend of 59% Syrah, from Bien Nacido & Harrison-Clarke Vineyards, paired with 23% Mourvedre, and 15% Grenache, from Alta Mesa & Larner Vineyards, and finished off with a splash of Viognier for good measure. This beauty leaps from the glass offering a heady bouquet of black and blue fruits, white pepper, and herbs de provence.

Royal Prince Slam Dunk 2020

We’re kicking off the start of March Madness with Slam Dunk! Pure sun-ripened lusciousness, Slam Dunk showcases all the power and structure California has to offer. This lush, mega-hit blend knows how to turn up the volume!

Filled with aromas of dark plum, violet, shaved cocoa and black pepper. Long and persistent on the finish, the wine shows rich, polished tannins and an opulent care of soft vanilla oak.

Winemaker Carlo Mondavi, RAEN Winery

Carlo Mondavi, grandson of the renowned Robert Mondavi, is the proprietor of the Sonoma Coast’s RAEN Winery and of Sorì della Sorba in Barolo with his wife, Giovanna Bagnasco, who also comes from a prominent Italian winemaking family.

Carlo's grandfather Robert and his father, Tim, instilled in him a respect of nature, the land and how winegrowing is done from both a scientific and artistic perspective. His close connection to Mother Earth has inspired his dedication as a climate activist. Since 2017, Carlo noted that his harvests have been impacted by drought and wildfires - direct results of climate change. Wanting to make a difference with true action, Carlo and his his partners founded Monarch Tractors, a line of electric, driver-optional smart tractors that help make regenerative farming economical and effective. His ultimate goal is to stop the use of chemicals like herbicides and neoinciotinoids used in traditional farming methods.

Photo courtesy of Wine + Peace

RAEN Winery Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Cuvee

RAEN Winery’s Sonoma Coast Royal St. Robert Cuvee features aromas of fresh strawberry, crushed dark cherry and black plum fill the bowl. Wild berries, coastal rock and forest floor follow, delicately coming together with ripe, silky tannins and a bright acidity, giving way to a beautifully long persistent finish.

2020 Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon

The aromatics are effusive of freshly-baked mixed berry pie, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf, and sweet cacao nibs from the 60% new French Oak barrels. The wine's extended finish is enveloped with a welcoming intensity of medium-fine tannin.

Winemaker Tony Biagi, Amici Cellars

Tony is a veteran winemaker in Napa Valley, with an impressive career and resume that spans over two decades. As the lead winemaker at Amici Cellars and Olema, Tony has also worked with other notable wineries including CADE, Hourglass, Paraduxx, Plumpjack, Clos Du Val and Sinegal Estate.

Most recently, Tony was named the 2020 Wine Maker of the Year by Antonio Galloni. Tony and his team focus on vineyard-driven, small-batch winemaking, separating ferment and age individual blocks to create the best possible expression of each vineyard, each year. Tony continues to dedicate his time to educating and mentoring the next generation of winemakers.

Featured Wine: Olema Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2021 Olema Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes hand-selected from premier vineyards in Alexander Valley and Dry Creek in Sonoma County. This deeply flavored wine features layers of fruit and a long, intense finish.

It opens with aromas of black cherry, plum and hints of cedar box. Full-bodied and balanced, this wine shows flavors of wild berries, licorice, and black olive on the palate. Silky tannins are matched with a rich fruit core throughout the long finish.

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Robert Craig Affinity | 2018

Composed of 55% Petite Sirah and 45% Zinfandel, the 2019 Red Blend sports a deep garnet-purple color and !amboyant scents of blackberry preserves and black raspberries with hints of stewed plums, fragrant earth and hoisin. Full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of generous black fruit preserves, framed by a plush texture and seamless freshness, "nishing long and spicy. A bold, beautiful red with a lot of character and that's just plain delicious!

Marcel Hearts Rosé | 2021

Kokomo Cuvee | 2019