If labels can tell a story about their contents, this label, done in an Art Nouveau style, is an enchanting invitation to partake of this Sauvignon Blanc from the Entre-deux-Mers region of Bordeaux. The lyrical name Songe de l’Imperatrice translates to ‘Dream of the Empress,’ and this wine befits both royalty and the everyday drinker. Bordeaux Blanc seems to be the, err, red-headed stepchild as most people associate the Bordeaux region with powerful reds. This is because of the 1956 harvest, the coldest vintage in Bordeaux since the 18th century, which led to extremely low yields of white varieties. Many winemakers tore out their white grapes, which had been devastated by frosts, and replanted their vineyards to Cab, Merlot, and other reliable reds. While Bordeaux Blanc might be underrated, this wine overperforms with aromas of acacia flowers and a tinge of grass. Flavors like grapefruit, lemon, and melon are enhanced by zippy acidity, with a crisp and refreshing finish. Of course, the power word for this wine is Dream, and the Seasonal Salad from Greenhouse eaten alongside the Songe de l’Imperatrice would make more a fantastical experience.
A perfect name for an accessible and pleasing wine, the Old Soul Chardonnay will make you smile. From Oak Ridge Winery, which is led by three sisters and a female winemaker, here’s the website description of the Old Soul brand: “It’s a generational story. The seasons change and the swing sways, yet the oak tree remains. Growing ever taller, the roots deeper; it is the steward of the land, an old soul gently guiding the next generation, sharing its stories, experiences, and history.” With a story that is both ambiguous and ambitious, the Old Soul Chardonnay proffers generous fruits from white peach and apricot to pineapple and green apple. The oak aging on this wine lends a luscious vanilla note on the finish. One of the most versatile grapes in the world, this New World Chardonnay will go with many cuisines, but pairing it with a creamy dish like the Chicken Fettucine Alfredo from Fera’s will make your Soul feel divine.
Several years ago, Sokol Blossor celebrated 50 years as an Oregon Family Winery. Founders Susan Sokol and Bill Blosser began planting vines in Dundee Hills in 1971, and they were determined that their wines reflect their values and sense of place. Now the second generation is in charge: Alex is president of Sokol Blossor, Alison is owner, and Nik is chairperson of the board; Susan and Bill are still very much involved, having propelled the winery is to be sustainable as well as a Certified B Corporation. They also were the first winery awarded with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating. And they know a thing or two about wine! This ‘Evolution’ Big Time Red is a nod to Rhône winemaking in that they add a splash of white to the cuvée. The grapes, sourced from both Oregon and Washington, are 54% Montepulciano, 34% Syrah, 3% Pinot Noir, 2% Malbec, and 7% ‘Evolution’ Lucky No. 9 White, a testament to bright, crunchy red fruit flavors. Red cherry, raspberry, red currant Evolve into plum pie filling with an almost savory conclusion. It just makes sense to enjoy this with your favorite Korean fried chicken dish from bb.q Chicken.
It is common to see multigenerational winegrowing passed from grandparent or even great-grandparent to child and so on. But much more atypical is to see a domaine, at least one we can offer at Steve’s, that can boast 14 generations! Famille Fabre has vineyards that have thrived since 1605. Much more recently—in 1991—Louis Fabre has been on a mission to convert the estates to organic farming, embracing one of their principal values: respect for nature. Fabre also espouses innovation while appreciating tradition and a love of winemaking. This very poetic (and roughly translated) mission statement is from their website: “From vine to bottle, from bud to grape, from must to wine, people everywhere are humble servants of a sometimes capricious but always generous nature.” Lux de Luc, which has multiple definitions (in French!) on the label, can certainly refer to luxury, but it also originates from the Latin word for Light. This red blend made from 80% Carignan and 20% Mourvèdre comes from the Corbières region of Languedoc. Floral notes transform into black cherry, anise, prune, cinnamon, and mint, creating a rich mouthfeel. A hearty dish liked braised beef short ribs would hold up to this luminescent and opulent wine.
Although Veramente translates to “truly,” this wine is chockful of contradictions. The highest alcohol by volume wine on the lineup (a whopping 16%, and yes, it is an Old World wine!), this blend from Veneto in the north of Italy combines Negroamaro and Primitivo, two grapes that are dominant to Puglia, in the south. Veramente Rosso is produced by Botter, a fixture in Venezia since 1928; they have embraced the #ProudtoBeItalian (or #P2BI) movement, which is about celebrating Italy as more than just an awesome place: to them, Italy is a way of thinking, living, eating, creating, drinking and being. The Veramente typifies this feeling of being in the moment while appreciating the past. More fruit-forward than other blends common to northern Italy (like Valpolicellas and Super Tuscans), this wine does not feel overly hot or heavy, despite the immense ABV. A powerful bouquet of jammy red and black fruits is complemented by dried fruit notes like raisin and prune. Mocha and spice lift the finish. The Elk Sliders from Queenies will Truly be a proper and potent pairing.
Louis Lucas, a third-generation winegrower, and Superior Court Judge Royce Lewellen, also an enthusiast of wine, met in 1975 at the Santa Maria Wine & Food Society. Over the next 25 years, they would deepen their friendship and create a business partnership that led to the opening of the Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards in Solvang, CA. With winemaker Megan McGrath Gates at the helm, Lucas & Lewellen wines have been recognized with various accolades. Using choice lots from the Los Alamos Vineyard in Santa Barbara County and Valley View Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley, the magic of the ‘Hidden Asset’ is unveiled. With a compelling and very precisely proportioned blend of 32.5% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 26% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, and 2.5% Cabernet Franc, this 2017 wine has some age on it. Flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, chocolate, subtle cinnamon and spice, and leather are certainly an Asset on the palate. An interesting accompaniment would be the Hill Country Peppered Beef Jerky (or your favorite jerky) from Buc-ee’s.
Founder Donald Hess decided to defy gravity by first growing grapes on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Veeder in Napa, something very few people were doing at such high elevations in 1978. Because he was such a pioneer, this Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles is named for his Maverick spirit. Also, Paso Robles is often affectionately called the “wild west of winegrowing” due to its diversity of grape varieties and disparate ecosystems. The 2022 season in Paso Robles was warm with very little rain. A heat wave in early fall meant that the grapes would be lower yielding, but the good news was they were loaded with concentrated flavor. Winemaker Dave Guffy mentioned that this vintage will be known for its lush fruit, bold structure, and immense complexity. The ‘Maverick Ranches’ Cab is rounded out for 15% Petite Sirah and a good amount of time in new French oak. With fruit traits of Bing cherry and raspberry, the rest is all quintessential Cab: cedar, ground black pepper, dark chocolate, and espresso. Though a bit of a drive, a glass of this Cab would be transcendent served next to the mesquite-grilled ribeye from the Prairie House in Cross Roads.
The Story of MyStory is a fascinating one: Moscow-born Alexei Khimenko joined the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy when he was ten. Seven years later, he toured with the Bolshoi Ballet Grigorovich Theatre until he was 20. He then moved to the United States to partake in multiple ballet companies as a principal dancer for several years before retiring his ballet slippers. Changing course, just before turning 31, he opened a delicatessen in Nashville that specialized in Russian and Eastern European foods. In 2005, he expanded into wine and liquor imports, which did so well that he was eventually bought out by a larger wholesaler. Throughout that entire time in the hospitality industry, his love and knowledge of wine grew, which has culminated in the brand MyStory, tying together his art and theatre experiences with wine. The philosophy behind the brand is
“to produce approachable, food-friendly wines that over-deliver,” and this Reserve Malbec, which has seen extensive oak aging, including three months in Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut bourbon barrels, packs a punch. Blackberry jam, raspberry, Bing cherry, and unsweetened chocolate give way to toffee and vanilla notes. At 15.7% ABV, this wine will warm you up; cherish a glass with a roasted rack of lamb.