Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation thanks our wonderful friends at United Distributors for coordinating the donation of the exciting wines and spirits that were poured at the 23rd Annual AVLF Winetasting.

Wine

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve

All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne! This elegant Champagne draws its unique personality from the chalky soils of the distinguished Champagne region of Northern France. It is blended with Chardonnay for elegance and delicacy, Pinot Noir for roundness and structure, and Pinot Meuniere for fruitiness. It is pale gold in color with an abundant stream of delicate bubbles, twice fermented and aged for three years in bottle. On the nose it has subtle white fruit aromas of pear, apple, and nutty characteristics of almonds and hazelnuts. It is an elegant wine for aperitif or for accompanying an entire meal.

Charles & Charles Rose 2013

A collaboration founded in 2008 between Charles Smith of the Columbia Valley in Washington State and Charles Bieler of the South of France.  This blend dominated by Syrah is blended with other Rhone varieties; Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise, and Mourvedre are gently pressed and complete this gorgeous dry, rose wine. Vibrant pink color with wild strawberry and watermelon aromas, in addition to exotic fragrances of herbs of Provence, citrus and mineral notes complement this fruity and savory rose wine.  Versatile in food compatibility, it rides the fine line between white and red wine options.

19 Crimes Red Blend 2012

This wine takes its name from a list of 19 crimes drawn up to address the problems of overrun jails in 18th century England.  Upon conviction, British rogues guilty of those crimes were exiled to Australia, a sort of punishment by transportation.  Created by one of Australia’s most well respected winemakers, this very traditional blend is inspired by the wines produced in the region of Victoria in the 19th century.  Big, bold wines exhibiting dark red fruits with black spices such as pepper and licorice; the blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Montaro offers a complex, barrel aged wine with layers of flavor in an approachable style.  Grilled sausages, braised beef dishes, and some soft cheese are delicious with this intensity blend.

Asylum Zinfandel 2012

Sourced from Zinfandel grown in the Lodi appellation of Northern California with small amount of Carmenere, Barbera, and Petite Sirah, the regions warm days and cool nights provide the perfect environment to ripen these red grape varietals.  After fermenting each variety separately, the wine was aged in barrels for 18 months and bottled in June of 2014.  Dense berry flavors dominate the palate with undertones of subtle spices.  This wine has great density and richness and is perfect with grilled meats, barbecue and tomato based sauces.

Calista Pinot Noir 2012

The mythical Greek Goddess Calista was a huntress who possessed grace and seductive charm.  This blend of Pinot Noir from the Coastal Range Vineyards of California captures her essence.  Fruit sourced from estate vineyards in the Anderson Valley, Russian River, and Santa Lucia Highlands lends its distinctive terrior to this signature blend.  The wine is deep ruby red in color with aromatics of dried cherries, rose petals, violets, and coffee beans. Fermentation takes place in small open top fermenters, punched down twice daily and finally aged in 100% French oak barrels for 14 months.  Try this with grilled salmon with Asian soy glaze.  It would also compliment turkey and roasted chicken.

Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa County 2012 

The Michael Mondavi Family and winemaker Tony Coltrin bring their considerable experience in sourcing quality fruit from the best vineyards in the valley in the production of this Cabernet Sauvignon blend.  By layering the fruit from Napa’s volcanic hillside soils and the deeper alluvial soils of the valley has accomplished his goal of marrying many different expressions into one outstanding Cabernet.  Twelve months of oak ageing in French oak barrels, the wines appealing red cherry color, candid blackberry and spice flavors and a hint of dark chocolate on the finish produces a great accessible example of Napa Cabernet.  Delicious with rack of lamb, richly textured beef dishes and winter game.

Sbragia Family Vineyards, Home Ranch Chardonnay 2012

The 13 acres of Home Ranch Vineyard has been farmed by the Sbragia family for 5 decades.  Located in the Northeast tip of Dry Creek Valley, the site is much cooler than most of the appellation.  Barrel fermented in both new and once used French oak barrels, the wine is accented by full malolactic, weekly lees stirring and aged for 10 months.  This is a classic full-bodied Chardonnay with richness and purity of fruit.  The wine wears an oak vest with a fleshy body of stone and tropical fruits.  Very complex and flavorful.  Lobster, crab cakes and seafood casseroles are the perfect paring for this distinguished wine.

Spirits

Breckenridge Distillery – Vodka

This true craft distillery, located in Breckenridge Colorado, produces small batch spirits of distinction.  Traditional open-top fermenters are used to create the base for this unique vodka.  100% sweet corn is mashed.  Five times distilled and proofed to 40% ABV with snowmelt water, it is one of the world’s only terroir driven vodkas.  Before bottling it is filtered with coconut shell charcoal.

Nikka Distillery – Pure Malt Whisky 12 Year Old

In 1918, Masataka Taketsura enrolled at the University of Glasgow and became the first Japanese ever to study the art of whisky making.  In 1934 he established Nikka, and is respected as the father of Japanese Whisky. This pure malt, produced from malted barley, uses local spring water as one of its proprietary elements. It is aged for 12 years in cask and develops a harmony of aroma highlighted by sweet hints of vanilla and subtle peat influences.  Bottled at 45% ABV, it is elegantly accented by a delicate, sweet and tangy fruitiness.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery – Tennessee Fire

America’s favorite whiskey is a global ambassador for charcoal mellowed spirits produced in the small town of Lynchburg, Tennessee.  Crafted with Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Whiskey and naturally infused with a proprietary red hot cinnamon liqueur, it is sensually enticing with the aroma of cinnamon spice and the smooth taste of classic Jack Daniel’s.  It is bottled at 35% ABV and is great as a mixer in festive punches or on its own as a “sippin” whiskey.