2018 Freemark Abbey Merlot Bosché
My family likes to say "We are a Freemark Family"! Freemark Abbey is the first and only wine club that my parents became a part of, having been so impressed with every single wine from this estate that they tried. When it comes to Freemark, I certainly agree!
When you talk about classic Napa Valley, Freemark has it all. Josephine Tychson started the winery back in 1886, the first woman to own and operate a winery in California at that time. Freemark was the only California winery to have both a red and a white wine in the historic "Judgement of Paris" tasting in 1976 and both wines placed very highly.
I have still never had a wine from Freemark that I haven't liked. It's always beautiful balanced, with complex dark fruit notes and nice acidity. Definitely a powerhouse wine, you'll want to pair with a big steak or burger. I recently went to the vineyard and got to taste through their current lineup, and this Merlot Bosché from their Rutherford vineyard was the stand out to me, and at a somewhat more approachable price than their other bottlings. Look for their Napa Valley Cabernet in your local supermarket, and if you'd like to really splurge, order direct from their website some of their incredible single vineyard expressions and I promise you will not be disappointed!
"The 2018 is big on color and flavors, expressing notes of pomegranate, black cherry, milk chocolate, aromatic cedar and black olive. The intense fruit is balanced with supple oak spices, elegant tannins and a rich mouthfeel. Flavors of blueberry pie, chocolate truffle, cigar box and warm vanilla spice are evident and combined with the supple textures make for a wine that is wonderful to drink now with a fruitful, lingering finish."
2019 Au Bon Climat Hildegard
This Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc/Aligoté blend is one of the most unique and delicious white wines I have ever had! The name Hildegard is a salute to Burgundy, where this wine was styled after. The empress Hildegard was married to the King of the Franks, Charlemagne, who was part of the rebirth of winemaking after the dark ages. Aged in new French oak, this wine has the feel of a beautiful Burgundian Chardonnay, but coats your tongue with refreshing melon, lemon peel, and white flowers, finished with a piercing acidity that ties it all together.
Au Bon Climat sources it's fruit from vineyards mostly throughout Santa Barbara County, an up and coming wine region just north of Los Angeles. If you are looking to try something different this New Year, definitely give this lovely blend a try. Pair with richer foods like crab or pasta with white sauce and you'll be in heaven!
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