Chattan Groom Russian River Valley Reformation Red 2018
About the wine
Savory and velvety-smooth red blend straight from Russian River Valley
Ondine’s refined Russian River red is an elegant ensemble of Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Grenache, humming with heavenly black fruit flavors that bloom with a rich, full texture and long, endlessly savory finish.
In Russian River Valley, a region known more for its Pinots and Chardonnays, red blends like this are few and far between, Ondine says. “These are not wines that are found in supermarkets, they are not in the mainstream, they are rare. This scarcity alone makes the wine a great find for Angels...”
Pop the cork as soon as it hits your doorstep, or put a bottle or two aside for up to a few years to bring out more subtle, earthy flavors. Sip this world-class red by a roaring fire in winter, or enjoy it on a sunny deck in summer – “It’s a wine for all seasons,” Ondine says.
Best before
This is a wine to enjoy both in the near and long-term. If one prefers the fruit to dominate and the acidity bright then the wine will be best enjoyed in the first couple of years after release. If one prefers the pepper, earth, and other savory notes to dominate and the palate to broaden then aging for 5 to 7 years is advised.
Serving advice
As with all earthy varieties (Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, others) a little bit of aeration releases the aromatics and freshens the bottle bouquet to integrate the earth and fruit components. In its youth a Venturi is fine but simply leaving the bottle open for 15 to 30 minutes prior to serving or gently decanting will reward.
Food match
Foods with exotic spices, particularly Middle-Eastern dishes will pair well with this blend. The meaty richness of the wine will complement classic French cuisine such as Cassoulet but the subtleties of the wine will be best revealed when paired with dishes that incorporate flavors nutty and rich, with green components like olives, fiddleheads, or mint. I don't think you can ever go wrong pairing mushrooms with Rhone reds when simply sauteed and tossed with pasta, olive oil, and parsley. For casual comfort, the sweet tanginess of pulled pork sandwiches will illuminate both the fruit and game components of the wine.
Contains sulphites
Wine profile
Meet the winemaker - Ondine Chattan
Unmistakably one of the North Coast’s top winemaking talents, Ondine Chattan’s worked for wine institutions – famed wineries like Ridge Vineyards, Cline Cellars, and spent decades running famed Healdsburg winery Geyser Peak.
Does Geyser Peak sound familiar? It should – it’s the long-time winemaking home of one legendary Daryl Groom – and it’s where these decades-long colleagues and friends met. They’re still close… in fact, they might collaborate on exclusive wines now and again.*wink.*
Ondine is awestruck by the wine community Angels have built – and she wants to help it grow. “I truly connect to people through the wines I make,” she said. “The stories of the growers, the vineyards, and the process behind the wine are as vital to me as grapes.”
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