Dirk’s Cuvée

Dirk Smits Tasting Notes
Dirk Smits, GAYOT’s Wine & Spirits Editor, in the Double Barrel Room at Saddle Peak Lodge, Calabasas, CA
By Dirk Smits

A blend of wine & spirits musings, tastings and tidings

Come back to this page to follow what is happening in the world of wine and spirits. I will constantly update it with new articles.

Contact: dirk.smits@gayot.com

Cheers!

> COFFEE & CHOCOLATE: They make a delicious combo. Do it with these artisanal Belgian chocolates we have tasted for you. ENJOY 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER with GAYOT’s exclusive promo code. ORDER NOW!

WINE OF THE WEEK

> More than just a review of the wine itself. Travel where the wine was originated, with the story and history of the vineyards and winemaker.
 
ARGENTINA
• Catena Zapata, “Catena” Malbec 2018 | Mendoza – (02/15/2021)
CANADA
• Henry of Pelham, Baco Noir, Old Vines, 2019 | Ontario – (08/23/2021)
FRANCE
• Amiral de Beychevelle, St.-Julien 2017, Château Beychevelle | Bordeaux – (12/21/2020)
• Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot, Patchwork, Chardonnay 2018 | Arbois – (09/28/2020)
• Champagne Deutz, Amour de Deutz Rosé 2009 | Champagne – (02/08/2021)
• Château d’Escurac, Médoc, Cru Bourgeois 2018 | Bordeaux – (06/28/2021)
• Château Guiot, Costières de Nîmes Rosé 2020 | Rhône – (06/14/2021)
• Château La Rabotine, Sancerre 2018 | Sancerre – (04/05/2021)
• Château Lassègue, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2017 | Bordeaux – (12/07/2020)
• Clos Cibonne, Tibouren, Cru Classé 2019 | Côtes de Provence – (05/31/2021)
• Clos des Lunes, Lune d’Argent, Bordeaux Blanc, 2018 | Bordeaux – (08/10/2020)
• Domaine Bruno Lupin, Roussette de Savoie, Frangy 2019 | Savoie – (07/19/2021)
• Domaine du Séminaire Côtes du Rhône 2019 | Rhône – (04/19/2021)
• Domaine Faiveley, Mercurey Premier Cru, Clos des Myglands, Monopole 2018 | Burgundy – (11/09/2020)
• Domaine Laroche, Chablis Saint-Martin 2018 | Chablis – (04/12/2021)
• Domaines Schlumberger, Gewürztraminer, Grand Cru “Kessler” 2015 | Alsace – (03/01/2021)
• Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Zind, Vin de France, 2018 | Alsace – (09/14/2020)
• Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais Nouveau 2020 | Beaujolais – (11/23/2020)
• TerraVentoux, Terra Solis Intuition, 2017 | Ventoux – (08/31/2020)
GEORGIA
• Château Mukhrani, Saperavi, Kakheti 2017 – (03/29/2021)
GERMANY
• Meyer-Näkel, Blue Slate, Pinot Noir, 2018 | Ahr – (10/26/2020)
GREECE
• Alpha Estate, Xinomavro, Hedgehog Vineyard, Amyndeon 2017 – (06/21/2021)
• Santo Winery, Assyrtiko, Santorini, 2019 – (02/22/2021)
ITALY
• Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico, Gran Selezione DOCG 2017 | Tuscany – (11/16/2020)
• Cogno, Barbera d’Asti, Pre-Phylloxera 2018 | Piedmont – (07/26/2021)
• Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino | Tuscany – (03/08/2021)
• Luigi Maffini, Kleos, Cilento Aglianico 2017 | Campania – (08/03/2020)
• Marchesi di Grésy, Barbaresco, Martinenga 2017 | Piedmont – (12/28/2020)
• Poliziano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017 | Tuscany – (11/30/2020)
• Ruggero di Bardo, Susumaniello, 2019 | Puglia – (01/11/2021)
• Saracco, Moscato d’Asti 2019 – (03/22/2021)
• Sella & Mosca, Alghero Torbato Spumante Brut 2018 | Sardinia – (06/07/2021)
• Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Amarone della Valpolicella, Antonio Castagnedi 2015 | Veneto – (10/19/2020)
• Travaglini, Gattinara 2016 | Piedmont – (10/05/2020)
• Vigne Surrau, Cannonau di Sardegna “Naracu” 2019 | Sardinia – (05/24/2021)
• Zenato, Valpolicella Superiore 2017 | Veneto – (05/17/2021)
MEXICO
• Casa Madero, 3V, 2018 | Valle de Parras – (09/07/2020)
PORTUGAL
• Azores Wine Company, Tinto Vulcânico, Açores DOC, 2018 – (02/01/2021)
• Cabriz, Dăo, 2017 – (07/05/2021)
• Quinta da Alorna, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, 2015 | Tejo – (09/21/2020)
SLOVAKIA
• Château Belá, Riesling 2018 | Sturovo – (07/27/2020)
SOUTH AFRICA
• Meerlust, 2016 Rubicon | Stellenbosch – (05/10/2021)
• Rustenberg, John X. Merriman 2015 | Stellenbosch – (08/17/2020)
SPAIN
• Bodegas Grant, Sherry Oloroso, La Garrocha | Jerez-Xérès-Sherry – (07/16/2021)
• Bodegas Los Bermejos, Malvasia Seco, 2020 | Lanzarote, Canary Islands – (09/13/2021)
• Bodegas Torres, Sangre de Toro, Tempranillo 2018 | Catalonia – (09/06/2021)
• Bodegas Volver, La Mancha, Tempranillo Single Vineyard 2018 | La Mancha – (05/03/2021)
• Doniene Gorrondonă, Bizkaiko Txakolina 2020 | Basque Country – (08/02/2021)
U.S.A.
• Alma Rosa, El Jabali, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2018 | Santa Barbara County, CA – (10/12/2020)
• FEL, Chardonnay Anderson Valley 2019 | Mendocino, CA – (04/26/2021)
• Frank Family Vineyards, Zinfandel 2018 | Napa Valley, CA – (01/18/2021)
• Hahn, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA Pinot Noir, 2019 | Santa Lucia Highlands, CA – (08/30/2021)
• Hearst Ranch Winery, Reserve GSM, 2018 | Paso Robles, CA – (01/25/2021)
• Honig, Sauvignon Blanc 2019 | North Coast, CA – (08/24/2020)
• The Malibu Vineyard, 2013 Pinot Noir, Rambla Pacifico | Malibu Coast, CA – (09/20/2021)
• Mi Sueño Winery, Syrah 2017 | Napa Valley, CA – (12/14/2020)
• Palmaz Vineyards, Riesling “Louise” 2017 | Napa Valley, CA – (01/04/2021)
• Sokol Blosser, Müller-Thurgau, Dundee Hills | Dundee Hills, Oregon – (08/16/2021)
• Stinson Vineyards, Meritage, 2016 | Monticello, Virginia – (03/15/2021)
• Tablas Creek Vineyard, Côtes de Tablas, Adelaida District, 2018 | Paso Robles, CA – (11/02/2020)

WINERY PROFILES

Champagne Charles Heidsieck, Reims, France
Champagne Drappier, Urville, France
Champagne Gaston Chiquet, Dizy, France
Champagne Jean Lallement, Verzenay, France
Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Tours-sur-Marne, France
Champagne Nicolas Maillart, Ecueil, France
Champagne Piper-Heidsieck, Reims, France
Champagne Vilmar & Cie, Rilly-la-Montagne, France

BEST OF LISTS

Best Brut Rosé Champagnes
Best Kosher Wines
Best Non-Vintage Champagnes
Best Prestige Champagnes (Tête de Cuvée)
Best Valentine’s Day Wines
Whiskey Cocktail Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day

WINE DINNERS

Chef Celestino Drago, Managing partner Piero Selvaggio, GAYOT’s Wine & Spirits Editor Dirk Smits, Sophie Gayot



Exclusive: Restaurateur Piero Selvaggio Joins Drago Centro’s Team

Watch Dirk Smits discussing with Piero Selvaggio the wines served during the dinner.


Sophie Gayot, Chef Celestino Drago, Managing partner Piero Selvaggio, GAYOT’s Wine & Spirits Editor Dirk Smits





About a private dinner where these wines were served.

Opening bottles of long-aged wine can be a hit-or-miss experience. Find out which vintages from several French selections still provided sublime sipping with my tasting notes.



WINE CLASS

Champagne Bottle Sizes
Grape Varietal Definition: Aglianico
Grape Varietal Definition: Riesling
Grape Varietal Definition:: Sauvignon Blanc
Grape Varietal Definition: Sémillon
Health Benefits of Wine

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