2020 Domaine Georges Vernay, Syrah, Sainte-Agathe, VdP Collines Rhodaniennes, France

100% Syrah

Founded by Francis Vernay in 1937 and located in the heart of Condrieu in the Northern Rhône. The efforts of Francis Vernay were instrumental in creating the official Condrieu appellation in 1940. Francis was succeeded by his son Georges, who played a key role in restricting the geographical boundaries of Condrieu. In 1996, Christine Vernay, Georges’s daughter, became winemaker and General Manager of the Estate. Recognized as one of the great winemakers in France, several of her wines have recently been awarded the coveted 100/100 in top wine publications.

Grown on the Condrieu appellation, this 40-year-old-vines Syrah must be classified as VdP Collines Rhodaniennes. This “declassified: wine is every bit as good as the real thing! Grown on decaying granite soils, fermented in stainless steel, and aged in older barrels (no new). Power, strength, red berries, pepper, freshness.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

95 points - Wine Enthusiast

Generous on the nose, the wine presents juicy aromas of black plum, blackberry and crème de menthe, with a layer of violets and fine granite minerality. The palate is equally luscious and presents a silky texture with flavors of ripe and fresh plum, thyme, and pulverized white peppercorn. Beautiful to enjoy now.

2018 SAMsARA, Syrah, Zotovich Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills, California

100% Syrah

SAMsARA produces limited releases of Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Grenache from carefully selected micro-sites within Sta. Rita Hill’s most distinctive vineyards. They aim to make honest, balanced wines in small lots that are true to place and vintage. They hand sort, foot stomp, and use natural yeasts from the vineyard to achieve purity and complexity in each variety they produce. They believe in sustainability from the vineyard to the winery, which includes biodynamic and hand-farming. The resulting wines are an interpretation of the tenuous balance between the power of natural elements beyond our control and the human desire to reach perfection. Owners and New England natives, Dave and Joan Szkutak, share a fundamental love of travel and all things enological. They help guide SAMsARA as vintners and work closely with winemaker Matt Brady, supporting his creative decisions in both the vineyard and the cellar.

This wine is a show stopper—a classic, cool-climate Syrah that bursts with black pepper, menthol, spice, cured meat, green olive, and black currant aromatics. These elements are mirrored on the palate, with great balance, full mid-palate, vibrant red and blackberries, and integrated tannin, fruit, and ample refreshing acidity. Decant 60-90 minutes or age in your cellar for 7-10 years.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

94 points - Wine Enthusiast

Sanguine aromas of rust and crushed rocks meet with uncracked peppercorns, purple and red flowers on the dynamic nose of this bottling. Currant and strawberry flavors pop on the palate, where zippy acidity lifts white-pepper, thyme and purple-flower elements into a unique and delicious combination. - Matt Kettmann

2018 L'Aventure, Optimus, Willow Creek District, Paso Robles, California

56% Syrah, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot

L'Aventure was founded in 1998 by a French winemaker, Stephan Asseo. After Stephan graduated enology school in Burgundy, the Asseo family bought their first estate, Domaine de Courteillac, in the Bordeaux area in 1982. Later, the family purchased additional properties in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. Stephan saw in the New World a unique opportunity to expand his experience, while gaining more freedom in viticulture and vinification. He began by looking all over California for land, including Napa/Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties, but it was the terroir and climate of Paso Robles that impressed him the most.

L'Aventure is located on the west side of Paso Robles in the Willow Creek District. The estate is comprised of multiple hills of various elevation and complex soils. Because of its proximity to the ocean, the vineyard has clear warm days and drastic cool nighttime temperatures which increases the time of the grape’s maturation cycle providing fruit that creates a more complex and balanced wine. The resulting wines are full and rich yet well balanced and elegant. “Optimus is the perfect introduction to our lineup. Also known as our “crazy” Paso blend. Beautifully balanced with a lot of freshness. This wine is approachable young but can be enjoyed for up to a decade. Thie 2018 vintages marks th 20th vintage of Optimus.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

94 points - Decanter

A gorgeous counterbalance to the classic Cabernet-dominated Napa. Here you get a beautifully exotic edge, with sage and raspberry notes coming from the Syrah on limestone soils filling out the chocolate, menthol and cassis of the Cabernet. Fine tannins but plenty of them, with a restrained but unmissable twist of smoked oak. Michel Rolland consultant. Drinking Window 2022 - 2036

PLEASE NOTE

• Purchasers must be 21 years of age or older and be present with an ID upon delivery.

• Price includes 5.50% Maine State sales tax and Maine’s fifteen-cents redemption deposit per bottle.

• If your billing address is different from your delivery address, please include your delivery address in the comments section at checkout.

• *Delivery is by Wine Wise—not third-party carriers. Our delivery area is Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Foreside, Falmouth, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Saco, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook. We have a larger delivery area for Wine Club deliveries.