Finca La Sofia
Antiyal
Red Blend 2015
#Remembrance #Love 6/25
One of our special stops in Maipo, Chile.
The day we visited, they had just received & were using their basic bottle labeling machine. They were elated to no longer have to do it by hand. 2018.
49% Carmenere, 42.5% Cabernet & 8.5% Syrah.
Picture of Sofia in Nefertiti’s Tomb. The top of Sofia’s bucket list.
The fruits are ripe and dryish; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with big skin, plum pudding, darkest cherries & strawberries hues, creamy raspberries. Dark chocolate w/ fudge frosting, caramel, mocha, deep, dark spices w/ some palate heat, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, clove, nutmeg, soft cinnamon stick, vanillin, black tea, black licorice, dry river stone, moist, grey, volcanic clay, limestone & dry crushed rock minerals, dry top soil, some black pepper, dry tobacco & chewy leather, oak wood shavings, dry, withering & candied flowers, excellent, round acidity with a ruby, fresh, round, well; tensioned, balanced, knitted, smartly polished finish that lasts minutes.
Still has 10-15 years of good life ahead.
It was Bordeaux that first embraced Carmenere and the only Chateau that I know that still blends it is Clerc Milon…only about 2-3%. Chile champions Carmenere now.
Photos; Sofia & I tasted on top of that structured & their barrel room. — 2 years ago
Hubert Lamy
En Remilly Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Chardonnay 2022
I have enjoyed this producers vineyard over many vintage and this might be the best.
The 22 vintage is stunning and as good as it is, 23 might be better based on a somewhat limited exposure at this point.
The entry is glorious…such balance and wire to wire it doesn’t change much.
Green apple, perfect lemon & lime pulp into subtle candy, grapefruit, white stone fruit, kiwi, tropical melons, pineapple, cream reduction, saline, perfect sea fossils, fine powdery taut chalkiness, crisp volcanics, white spice, grey volcanic minerals, limestone marl, mix of fresh & dry stubble herbs, honeysuckle, light caramel, warm lightly done toast, yellow florals, spring flowers with greens, grand waterfall acidity, beautiful structure-tension, incredible balance with an elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on volcanic minerals and spice.
Decanted 1 hour.
When I first started buying this bottling, it was $50-$60, now $150. Might be my last bought. My white spend has a more limited range than my red. Don’t think I’m alone.
A property Sofia & I have visited in 2015. — 2 months ago
Williams Selyem
Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2011
#Remembrance #Love 6/25
Sofia’s favorite producer of Pinot Noir.
Her picking the Merlot at Chateau Mouton Rothschild in 2012. If your 12 Mouton Rothschild is better than expected, you’ll know why.
My favorite picture of Sofia. — 2 years ago
Seméli
Orinos Helios Moschofilero 1979
Excelente! - Sofia Assyrtiko/Moschofilero — 3 months ago
Mary Taylor
Sofia Brescia Veneto Frizzante Bianco Garganega - Glera Blend
Light, bubbly and refreshing. Good stuff me option with more melon, lightly sweetened and smooth bubbly — 5 months ago
Jones Family Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Birthed the year we were married and one of the more stunning producers we learned to embraced.
Love you endlessly Sofia! ❤️
Just picked when we were married & likely still in tank.
I can’t tell you enough how much you need to find a well aged & stored bottle. — a year ago
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7
I wanted to ask you what year you were married, but I don’t think I ever did. Great pictures & memories.I actually have 2 mags of the 07 Jones. I’ll save for the day we finally get together and grieve & commemorate the loss of our wives.
Launois Père et Fils
Veuve Clémence Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay
#Remembrance #Love 6/25.
Sofia loved Penguins. We played w/ them in Dubai and she also skied indoor while I had a spot of Champagne and watched from a very big window. Only in Dubai. They have to build things of that nature…cus w/o them…just a bunch of sand. — 2 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
It has been a while since I’ve opened a Clemence. A favorite of mine & Sofia once upon a time. Still drink it, just not as often as I have moved to mostly Extra Brut. This is a Brut at 8g. Excellent Champagne & value at $44.99.
I believe there are only two resellers you can acquire it, one east coast & one west-K&L. You have to buy it pretty quickly once they get their container. It took several yrs building that relationship as Launois is careful about who they let resell their cuvées. In fact, it is even difficult to get in France. K&L has standing orders from some French citizens they ship back to France once they receive it. Kinda crazy.
The palate has nice mousse with lively acidity and micro oxygenation. Lime/lemon pulp w/ zest, stone fruits-white dominant, grapefruit w/ pith, bruised red/golden apples, Bosc pear, caramel, vanillin, some yeast, baguette crust, white spice, gritty, grey volcanics, chalky bits, limestone marl, oyster shells, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with a little greens mixed in, very good acidy, well; made/balanced/tensioned with a smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes and land on excellent minerality.
If you get to Champagne, visit. They have a huge museum of champagne/wine artifacts that date back to BC. My two pics do not show its enormity. They are about 35-40 minutes south of Reims.
They are the only producer I know of that places a rubber casket attached to the bottom of their corks. So, next to never do their cuvées have cork taint.
Enjoying it with the Jasper Hill Farms - Willoughby, buttery washed soft white cheese. Try with Rainbow Crisp crackers or warm baguette. Also, on apples with and w/o honey. — 3 days ago