We asked master sommelier David Keck ’09 to recommend some seasonally appropriate wines for our readers. Here’s a selection of four delicious (and affordable) wines, along with Keck’s notes. Cheers!
Domaine Hauvette’s Petra Rosé 2015:
Made from biodynamically grown grapes in Provence, this beautiful dry rosé is fermented in concrete eggs and has amazing complexity, texture and length for a style that is generally seen as simple patio-pounding wine. Highly recommended as a more serious alternative to the chuggable rosés with which most people are familiar.
Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Semillon 2015:
Wine writer Jancis Robinson once said that “Hunter Valley Semillon is one of Australia’s great gifts to the world of wine.” This Bordelais grape sees a beautiful expression in the subtropical climate of the Hunter River Valley in Australia. Clean, bright, low alcohol content and full of waxy complexity, this wine pairs beautifully with light fare and also works as a delicious aperitif.
Clos de l’Elu’s Anjou Blanc 2014:
Following on the heels of another Loire Fest in Texas — July’s statewide celebration of the wines from the Loire Valley — this stunning Chenin blanc from the Loire Valley is a new addition to Texas wine lists. Farming organically and to some extent biodynamically, this vintner is destined to make a mark. Dry, but with beautiful weight and complexity, these wines are built to pair with richer white meats and cheeses and would work throughout a meal.
Savage’s Follow the Line Red Blend 2014:
Duncan Savage makes truly exceptional wines in South Africa, and this release of his Follow the Line red blend is a great demonstration of that. Blending Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah in a traditional Rhône Valley style, this medium-bodied wine exhibits a lot of what South African wine can be at its best. It has finesse and subtlety, while also delivering a lot of spice, bright fruit and intensity of flavor. There isn’t much of this wine made, so get it while you can. In fact, drink a bottle now and lay one down for a while.
Read our profile of David Keck here.
