Vintages and Verticals – VINEBOX

	YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from Giovanni Abrigo 2013 Dominated by brambly underbrush, wet leather, tart cherry and a touch of rose hip tea. 2013 was cool with a late harvest date, resulting in silky wines with striking aromatics. PERFECT WITH Umami-laden pot roast, mushroom risotto, sliced prosciutto.

	YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from Giovanni Abrigo 2014 Concentrated dark fruits and clove with touches of blood orange and cranberry with perfumey tannins. 2014 was a colder vintage that lacks longevity but makes up for it in expressiveness. PERFECT WITH Coq au Vin, grilled radicchio salad, 5-spice chicken, truffles.

	YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from Giovanni Abrigo 2015 A warm year that produced an ephemeral nose of strawberry, cherry and sweet liquorice scents. In time, flavors of raspberry compote, clove, tobacco and notes of deeply scented flowers come through. PERFECT WITH Parmigiano reggiano, Szechuan beef, ribeye steak, truffled cheeses.

	YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco white from L’Espinose Muscadet Classic Muscadet with a bright, pale yellow color with scents of pear, peach and grapefruit. The palate opens with citrus and lively minerality and the mouthfeel is velvet smooth thanks to aging on lees. PERFECT WITH Moules Frites, tempeh, oysters, grilled cheese lunch.

	YOU SAMPLED a Bold white from Domaine de la Roche Chenin Blanc This sweet wine is like raw honey drizzled over the best damn apricot pastry you can dream up. Tastes like it, too, with lemon and ripe nectarine. PERFECT WITH Goat cheese fritters, foie gras torchon, shortbread cookies, a glass of crushed ice (seriously).

	YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from Sainte Avoye Blanc Tradition Our first wine aged sous-voile, or under the delicate flor veil of yeast like sherry or vermouth! This intentionally oxidized Chardonnay blend is polarizing to say the least, but any fans of Sherry will be doing backflips out of excitement. The nose is savory and sweet, like soy sauce coated cashews in a field of citrus flowers. The palate is a cacophony of flavors and experiences: spice, freshness, fatness, acidity, nuttiness, perfume and a hint of creaminess. Watch out, it’s addictive to sip on and fantastic with a plethora of foods - including almost impossible to pair culprits such as artichokes and asparagus. PERFECT WITH Artichokes, roast poultry, asparagus, brussels sprouts.

	YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco white from De Andre Sisters ‘Alegra’ A crispy, herbaceous and mineral rich wine. Lively with crisp white peach and zesty lime notes all surrounding a clean core. PERFECT WITH Pasta salads, paella, caprese skewers, early evening walks.

	YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco white from El Modernista Blanc Bright white in the glass with crystalline reflections of green and lemon yellow. Meyer lemon, white cherry, green plum and fresh cut herbs blend together with balanced acidity and texture. PERFECT WITH Fried rice, boiled shrimp, grilled herb meats, Marcona almonds.

	YOU SAMPLED an Al fresco white from Lagar de Costa Albariño Translucent green in color with notes of kiwi, kumquats and ripe sweet Greengage plum. Tart, bracing acidity adds a sour-then-sweet guava candy flavor before soursop and lemon round out the unctuous finish. PERFECT WITH Ceviche, fish tacos, fried tofu with peanut sauce, shrimp diavolo.