Dom. Brunet

Dom. Brunet is not just another pretty label from France. These are serious wines produced from singular terroirs. Typically, French varietals such as these would all come from the same general growing area and earn the Vin de Table designation. Each Dom. Brunet wine is produced from a separate and distinctive growing area. The Pinot Noir for example is grown in the Limoux appellation which enjoys an Atlantic and Mediterranean influence, ideal for Pinot Noir. Our Malbec is from the Pays d’Oc region. The Sauvignon Blanc is from Gascgony, ideally suited to white wine making with its maritime influence and cool clay soils. The newest varietal, Muscat sec, is made from the noble Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains and is grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region which is famous for its sweet wines.  The last wine of the group is the Chardonnay. It is grown on the cool plateaus of the Herault valley in southern France. Thirty percent of the cuvee is aged in new oak barrels with the remaining seventy percent is matured in stainless steel tanks.

Soil: Clay and limestone composition.

Grape Variety: 100% Malbec

Plant Density: 6,000 vines/hectare

Viticulture: Traditional growing methods are employed under tight supervision; the soil is plowed;  single Guyot pruning is done to remove unwanted new shoots, and to thin out grape bunches and leaves.

Vinification: Traditional. Grapes are destemmed, then fermented for 20 days at a temperature of about 29°C.

Aging: Partially aged in second-year barrels.

Tasting Notes: Deep scarlet in color, bright and limpid. The bouquet reveals notes of red fruit, with a slight touch of licorice. On the palate, the wine is round and beautifully balanced, delightfully harmonious. A real pleasure to drink.

Serving Suggestion: When young, pairs well with charcuterie, grilled meat, and young cheeses. When older, it is best when accompanied by red meat (steak, beef, venison) or with duck.

Cellaring Potential: Excellent cellaring potential, but may also be drunk immediately (if decanted 15-30 minutes beforehand).

Alcohol: 13%

Location: The Limoux area; this is one of the coolest places in the Languedoc region in southern France.

Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Vinification: The grapes are 100% destalked, and vinified with pigeage in order to make a soft and gentle fruit extraction of the tannins.

Aging: After 20 days of maceration, the wine is matured on its fine lies in French oak barrels for 4 months.

Tasting Notes: Bright garnet color with purple reflections.  An intense and complex bouquet of red fruit and blueberry aromas.  The palate is fruit forward with a supple, lingering finish.

Alcohol: 13%

Location: Grown in the Gascogny region of southwestern France best known as the home of the Three Musketeers, the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety has found here a cool climate and precious chalky soils giving to the wine all of its tremendous flavor profile.

Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Harvest: Early September

Vinification: The grapes are vinified using modern winemaking techniques

Aging: Matured on its fine lies for 5 months

Tasting Notes: Aromas of citrus, lemon, and litchi.  A very limited but very good production!

Alcohol: 12%

Location: Grown on the cool plateaus of the Herault valley in southern France.

Soil: Clay and limestone

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay grapes.

Viticulture: Traditional growing methods are employed under tight supervision; the soil is plowed;  single Guyot pruning is done to remove unwanted new shoots, and to thin out grape bunches and leaves.

Vinification: Traditional. Grapes are destemmed, then fermented for 20 days at a temperature of about 29°C.

Aging: Thirty percent of the cuvee is aged in new oak barrels with the remaining seventy percent matured in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting Notes: This is a lovely, inexpensive French white in the true Burgundy tradition. No oak, no butter.  Ripe fruit fragrances; crisp and dry, yet still lush and soft on the palate.

Food Pairings: Pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna, etc), vegetarian dishes, poultry.