{"title":"September 24: Pizza Party on Zoom","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"ridge-geyserville-sonoma-california-2021","title":"Ridge Vineyards, Geyserville, Sonoma, California, 2021 - (Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite S)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRidge's history begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He planted vineyards and constructed a winery of redwood and native limestone in time to produce the first vintage of Monte Bello in 1892. The historic building now serves as the Ridge production facility.\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learnaboutwine.com\/products\/learnaboutwine-presents-zinfandel-wednesday-june-14th-at-7pm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/FtinZinfandel.png?v=1686166208\" style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 10px; float: right;\" width=\"183\" height=\"183\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough Ridge began as a Cabernet winery, by the mid-60s, it had produced several Zinfandels including the Geyserville. In 1972, Lytton Springs joined the line-up and the two came to represent an important part of Ridge production. Known primarily for its red wines, Ridge has also made limited amounts of Chardonnay since 1962.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ridge approach is straightforward: find the most intense and flavorful grapes, guide the natural process, draw all the fruit's richness into the wine. Decisions on when to pick, when to press, when to rack, what varietals and what parcels to include and when to bottle, are based on taste. To retain the nuances that increase complexity, Ridge winemakers handle the grapes and wine as gently as possible. There are no recipes, only attention and sensitivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic and sustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/KJkfXwdXJjk\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to watch our YouTube video with the winemaker!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eShauna Rosenblum\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e76% Zinfandel, 16% Carignan, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eSonoma, California\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRipe cranberry and cassis on the nose. Focused dark bramble fruit on the palate, layered with cocoa and clove. Vibrant acidity balances beautifully with opulent fruit and carries through to a long and elegant finish. \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Wine Enthusiast\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eToasted oak and wood-smoke aromas lead to equally smoky, spicy flavors of black pepper, blackberry jam and maple in this full-bodied, muscular and firmly tannic wine. Great to pair with barbecue and hatchet throwing. The Zinfandel grapes were supplemented with 16% Carignane, 6% Petite Sirah and 2% Alicante Bouschet. Best from 2025-2035.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Ian Blackburn\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis field blended all blacks was planted in the 1880's - the use of American old decorates this wine with dried herbs and in time will continue to integrate and fold into the wine.  Notes of Sage, Olive, Thyme, Dill and Bay parallel the darker plum, black cheery and dried cranberry.  A complex claret style that promises a long life in the cellar.  Color 14, Aroma 24, Body 23, Overall 33 = 94 points\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merchant of Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45373579067697,"sku":"","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Ridge-Geyserville-Sonoma-California-2021.jpg?v=1757358863"},{"product_id":"tenuta-sette-ponti-crognolo-tuscany-italy-2022","title":"Tenuta Sette Ponti, Crognolo, Tuscany, Italy, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003eGreat Value Wine!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe estate of Sette Ponti lies in the heart of the Chianti zone, fifteen miles northwest of the city of Arezzo just past the village of San Giustino Valdarno. The Via del Monte, known locally as the Via dei Sette Ponti, leads into a beautiful hidden valley and to the estate. The name Sette Ponti, or \"seven bridges,\" refers to the seven bridges crossing the Arno River on the road from Arezzo to Florence. Erected in the mid 13th century, it took nearly forty years to build, and is perceptible in the right far background of Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTenuta Sette Ponti, is, like many Tuscan estates, multi-faceted. The 750-acre property supports livestock and mixed agriculture, and although viticulture is not new to the estate, winemaking is; the yield of the property's vineyards was until 1997 sold to various respected Tuscan wine producers, among them Piero Antinori. Dr. Moretti's enjoyment of wine led him to ask Antinori if the estate vineyards could produce great wines, and Antinori thought they could. The estate has since been transformed through the consultation of respected oenologist Carlo Ferrini and his assistant, Gioia Cresti; Gilbert Bouvet, one of France's most skilled viticulturalists; and agronomist Benedetto d'Anna. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic and sustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eClick \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/McxCPXYorB0\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to watch our YouTube video about this wine!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAntonio Moretti Cuseri\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTuscany, Italy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003eCrognolo, the first wine of Tenuta Sette Ponti. Born in 1998 from the wine project of the Moretti Cuseri family. An elegant Sangiovesebased supertuscan, endowed with a unique identity: between enhancement of territory and vines, excellence, rigor and innovation made from a tradition capable of evolving. The best selection of a historic variety of Sangiovese from a unique clone found in the Vigna dell’Impero 1935 and multiplied in the estate’s Sangiovese vineyards. A small addition of Merlot to give roundness and complexity. The ruby red color is a prelude to an intense and complex nose, rich in red fruits such as cherries and berries, floral notes such as violets, herbs and spicy notes, giving class and elegance. Structured, complex, mineral and round, it suggests excellent aging capabilities. The name comes from a wild plant “the cornus” that grows abundantly on the estate. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_authorName\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis wine displays depth and polish, revealing freshness and focus with a core of vivid red and dark fruits layered with wild herbs, violets, spices and hints of cedar and graphite. It’s firm and crunchy yet bright and juicy on the finish. Focused and balanced overall. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2023 Crognolo is fresh, vibrant, and nuanced. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, cinnamon, and a kick of blood orange are nicely pushed forward. A dollop of Merlot rounds out the contours. The 2023 is an absolute delight. Aging is done in neutral French oak barriques and tonneaux.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Regal Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50130295619889,"sku":null,"price":34.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/TenutaSettePonti_Crognolo_Tuscany_Italy_2022_e65088eb-6320-4fcd-83b2-3ec585dfb96c.jpg?v=1749492536"},{"product_id":"domaine-anita-les-caves-tres-vieille-vigne-moulin-a-vent-beaujolais-france-2023","title":"Domaine Anita, Les Caves Tres Vieille Vigne, Moulin-a-Vent, Beaujolais, France, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDomaine Anita is named after Anita Kuhnel who has been making wine under the Domaine Anita since 2015. Today, Domaine Anita includes some of the  most prestigious crus of Beaujolais including Moulin à Vent, Morgon, Chénas, Fleurie, as well as some plots located on great terroirs of the Beaujolais-Villages appellation. Anita’s viticultural practices are specific to each plot, but always within her overarching philosophy of sustainable viticulture, with minimal treatments, green harvesting and strong canopy management.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAnita Kuhnel\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eGamay\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBeaujolais, France\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipWineNotes\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipWineNotes_copy viewMoreModule js-expanded\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"viewMoreModule_text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnita produces this cuvée from a 65-year-old planting on a lower part of the slope (240 meters altitude) in Les Caves in soils of decomposing granite with streaks of manganese. If the “Reine de Nuit” offers a certain lifted elegance, “Tres Vieille Vigne” harnesses the power and sap these old vines are capable of. To that end, Anita ages 25% of the blend in used Burgundy barrels, extending the elevage to ten months—a regimen which underlines the Pinot Noir-like qualities of this site even more clearly than the “Reine de Nuit.” A heady overlay of savory spice calls to mind great Morey-Saint-Denis, and its dark-cast fruit is dense but not overdone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery cool, silky and precise in spite of the awesome old-vine depth. In fact, it has a personality that’s gentle and polite. The fine-grained texture on the medium-bodied palate makes you feel like you’re licking the granite soil of the site. I love the delicate spicy aromas and touch of red roses. There’s a dramatic mineral freshness in the emphatically dry finish. Fermented with a good proportion of whole-cluster then matured two-thirds in concrete tank and one-third in used Burgundian barrels. Drink or hold. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Vinous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2023 Moulin-a-Vent Vieille Vigne Les Caves has an open, delineated bouquet with cassis, blackcurrant, and a subtle marine scent emerging with time. The palate is harmonious, silky smooth and a little edgier than the Coeur de Vigneronne cuvee. This has a nicely structured, persistent finish. The 2023 is excellent and perhaps has the edge over the 2022. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProduct size: 750mL\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Elevage Wine Co","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51542948282673,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Domaine_Anita_Les_Caves_Tres_Vieille_Vigne_Moulin-a-Vent_Beaujolais_France_2023_90050853-2e28-4091-94dd-132b556da36c.jpg?v=1758057260"}],"url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/collections\/september-24-pizza-party-on-zoom.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}