Maintenant ou Jamais 2018 (OF, NF)

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Maintenant is the French word for "now" which could actually mean multiple things for this wine.  It is produced to be consumed now although it also has the structure to age well for at least five to seven years.  The 2018 is more elegant and balanced than the fun and lively 2016 (2017 was completely lost to frost first and then a hail storm) and you should feel free to open this wine on any occasion.  The actual full name of the wine, "Maintenant ou Jamais" means "now or never" which adds to the theme of the fun of spontaneously opening a bottle of wine.

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Aromas are incredibly interesting and diverse and include dark cherries, dark plums, cherry liqueur, ripe strawberries, blueberries, dark chocolate, watermelon, hazelnuts, and spices and herbs including nutmeg, allspice, lemon thyme, and mint.  Flavors include blackberries, red peaches, nectarine, and a hint of dark chocolate.  There is a medium body, perfect balance and acidity, a hint of limestone minerality, and a long finish with complementary tannins. 

 

Food pairings are also very diverse and would include New York steak, rib eye, roast beef, short ribs, beef stew, lamb cassoulet, duck, tuna, mussels, salmon cakes, Paella, Jambalaya, Tapas, Roast Pork, Pork Shoulder, grilled pork chops, wild boar, grilled chicken, Asian Beef, Pork, and Chicken stir frys, Salmon with creamy curries, red curries, curried lentils, Chili Colorado, Charcuterie, sausages, and hard cheeses.

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Maintenant ou Jamais 2022 (OC, NF)

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This is 100% Malbec and aromas include dark cherries, dark plums, nectarines, apricots, dark chocolate, and mocha.  Flavors include dark plums, boysenberries, blueberries, and nectarines.  There is a medium body but which saturates the palate with flavors, good balance and acidity, and a long medium to full finish.

 

Food pairings would include New York Steak, Rib Eye, short ribs, beef stew, lamb chops, veal chops, pork chops, shoulder, and tenderloin, wild boar, grilled chicken, duck, elk, cassoulet, pasta with meat sauce, baked pasta dishes, salmon, swordfish, clams, mussels, paella, Asian beef and pork dishes, lamb curries, Mexican beef, pork, and chicken dishes, enchiladas, tamales, alambres, tacos, and mild to medium cheeses.

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Chateau Ponzac "Estate" 2022 (OC, NF)

 

This is the primary "estate" wine of Chateau Ponzac which Virginie and Matthieu blend out of separately vinified parcels across the estate and it is 100% Malbec.  Aromas include blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, apricots, and pomegranate.  Flavors include blackberries, dark cherries, boysenberries, blueberries, and pomegranate.  There is a medium to full body, perfect balance and acidity, and a long medium finish.

 

Food pairings would include New York Steak, Rib Eye, Roast Beef, short ribs, beef stew, veal stew, lamb chops, pork chops and shoulder, BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, coq au vin, duck confit, cassoulet, grilled sausages, swordfish, Asian and Mexican beef, pork, and chicken dishes, lamb curries, tamales, spicy Mexican dishes such as alambres or with mole sauces, charcuterie, and medium to creamy cheeses.

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