2/22 PETIT WEEK IN WINE - D'Alphonso-Curran, Santa Barbara

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2/22 PETIT WEEK IN WINE - D'Alphonso-Curran, Santa Barbara

PETIT WEEK IN WINE | Feb 22 - Feb 26 2023

This Week, a Santa Barbara Study:

D'Alphonso-Curran

This week we focus on Santa Barbara and the wines from Kris Curran and Bruno D'Alphonso - vintners of high quality, complex and elegant wines influenced by the nearby Pacific Ocean & Santa Ynez Mountains.

Join us and virtually head out west to the Central Coast of California to discover the fun varietals and great vintages of D'Alphonso-Curran from Santa Barbara County!

Kris Curran & Bruno D'Alphonso have a combined 50 years in the wine industry with experience working at top wineries such as Sea Smoke, Foley Wines, Chalone, and Sanford Winery. Now (since the mid 90s) they apply their craft to exceptional Santa Barbara fruit known for its uniqueness given the long growing season, cool temperatures and coastal breezes.

Prepare to be blown away by the exquisite quality of both Pinot Noirs at this unbeatable price point. And don't miss out on the delightful Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris Rose, with their refreshing and invigorating notes - a perfect match for these unexpectedly balmy February temperatures.

This week's tasting flight is priced at $20 and is now available at both locations. Stop by to get a jump-start on your spring wines.

For additional information, please refer to the details below. And for those who enjoy pairing food with wine, be sure to check out our food pairing suggestions for the weekend!

Cheers,

Mark

NEW ARRIVAL!

Arnaud Combier Fleurie 2020

Beaujolais, France

$34 btl/retail

The Cru Beaujolais to kick-off the season... captivating aromas of black fruits & lively raspberry coupled with roasted spices and that classic, subtle mint nose, typical of cru Beaujolais from the village of Fleurie. Wonderfully polished and one of the most exciting bottles of Beaujolais we've seen from the vintage. Don't delay your next wine moment!

Just 24 bottles available.

Purchase online HERE!

Click Here to Browse & Purchase Wine Directly Online. We will have your order ready for pickup at either of our two local stores OR ship nationwide! (some states restricted)

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D'Alphonso-Curran Wines

Bruno D’Alfonso & Kris Curran offer a collection of exceptional wines and unique varietals. Today the husband-and-wife team focuses exclusively on their collection of fine wines under four different labels of which we are featuring two of them this week: Curran, and D'Alphonso-Curran.

Curran was the first label Kris established in 1997 and concentrates mainly on vineyard-designated Spanish varietals including Grenache, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, and Tempranillo.

D'Alphonso-Curran was the brand started in 2006 with the concept of showcasing ultra-premium, vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and top vineyards in Santa Barbara County.

Kris Curran undoubtedly ranks among California’s highest profiled winemakers, particularly for her gift for creating outstanding Pinot Noir. She’s voted as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Winemakers almost annually due to her pioneering station amid the industry’s forward-thinkers.

Kris’s love for animals led her to Science, which led her, ultimately, to winemaking. She initially graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with an Animal Science Degree, followed by her second Bachelors, this time in Winemaking from Fresno State. From there Kris took up a position at Cambria as Assistant Winemaker and later became a founding member at Koehler. She progressed to Sea Smoke where she produced seven vintages but left when Foley Wines offered her the Winemaker position, where she made wines under the Foley, Lincourt and Two Sisters brands.

When one thinks Bruno D’Alfonso, think of another great Pinot Noir winemaker in the business. Bruno’s approach to winemaking is fueled by a talent for creating outstanding wines that alter traditional expectations, matched by his dedicated precision and attention to detail. He is the consummate perfectionist.

With a history of hunting and fishing in the wild and a love for open spaces, it was no surprise Bruno earned a Degree in Soil Science from Cal Poly. However, his Italian heritage compelled his inherent appreciation for wine, so his second Degree, this time in Enology, was earned at UC Davis.

Bruno’s early career is almost as fascinating as his current one. He started out with the now-late Richard Graff of Chalone at Edna Valley Vineyards and worked there for three vintages. Bruno later joined Richard Sanford to start Sanford Winery where he remained as Winemaker for 23 vintages.

Join us this week at either location as we feature a Grenache Gris, a Grenache Blanc, and TWO Pinot Noirs (including a single-vineyard offering) all from Santa Barbara County. Here's the lineup:

Curran Grenache Blanc 2021 - $20 btl/retail

Santa Barbara County, California

Curran Grenache Gris Rose 2021 - $20 btl/retail

Santa Barbara County, California

D'Alphonso-Curran Pinot Noir 2018 - $42 btl/retail

Santa Barbara County, California

D'Alphonso-Curran Sanford-Benedict Pinot Noir 2018 - $65 btl/retail

Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California

Full Tasting Flight of 4 Wines - $19 (2.5oz pours)

>> TASTING FLIGHT HOURS:

MYERS PARK:

5:00 - 7:00pm Wednesday

5:00 - 8:00pm Thursday, Friday

1:00 - 7:30pm Saturday 

SOUTH END: 

5:00 - 9:00pm Wedn, Thrs, Friday

1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday

1:00 - 5:30pm Sunday

>> TASTING FLIGHT OFFERINGS:

Curran Grenache Blanc 2021

Santa Barbara County, California

$20 btl/retail

The tropical fruit profile of Grenache Blanc is on display with this 2021 vintage bottling. Lively acidity & a refreshing finish helps make this Blanc the perfect addition to your outdoor evening!

Varietal: 100% Grenache Blanc that is hand-sorted and whole cluster pressed. The juice then settled for 2 days at 30°F before it was racked cleanly & inoculated for primary fermentation. It was maintained at 60-62°F in Stainless Steel Tanks until fermentation was complete; this wine was not allowed to undergo Malolactic fermentation. Stainless fermentation & aging.

Taste: Clean and fruity, dry white wine with notes of ripe mango, white peaches, and hints of passion fruit and elderflowers. Medium bodied, with balanced acidity, firm tannins, and a clean, crisp finish.

Pairing Suggestion: Perfect as a patio wine, to sip by itself, and it also pairs extremely well with spicy renditions of Mexican food.

Curran Grenache Gris Rose 2021

Santa Barbara County, California

$20 btl/retail

The dry and elegant Rosé is crisp on the palate with red-fruit and a refreshing linear finish. The 2021 displays Curran's expertise with this original varietal from Spain- Grenache Gris.

Varietal: 100% Grenache Gris that was hand-sorted & whole cluster pressed. The juice then settled for 2 days at 30°F before it was racked cleanly and inoculated for primary fermentation. It was maintained at 60-62°F in Stainless Steel tanks until the fermentation was complete; this wine was not allowed to undergo Malolactic fermentation. Stainless-steel fermented and aged.

Taste: Pale Rose Quartz in color, this dry Rosé is refreshingly clean with notes of strawberry, white raspberries and hints of honeysuckle and mint. This wine has beautiful structure with firm, yet silky, tannins and a crisp, lingering finish.

Pairing Suggestion: This Rosé is the needed addition to your weekend brunch plans, and/or can be your go-to early-Spring Salads & Quiche pairing.

D'Alphonso-Curran Pinot Noir 2018

Santa Barbara County, California

$41 btl/retail

Bruno D'Alfonso & Kris Curran combine over 50 years of winemaking experience to help bring to life expressive vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs from the top sites in Santa Barbara County and the Santa Rita Hills AVA.

Varietal: Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County that has been hand sorted, 100% de-stemmed, then cold soaked in open-top fermenters. Skin contact of 17 days during fermentation prior to barreling. Malolactic fermentation while aging in barrel. 14 months in French Oak.

Taste: Dark garnet in color with a multiplex bouquet of stewed strawberries, crushed black cherries, dried figs, forest floor, sandal wood and brown sugar. Energetic and fruit forward on the palate, flavors of sour red cherry, red licorice & white pepper shine thanks to the high-toned acidity.

Pairing Suggestion: Incredibly versatile Pinot that can be enjoyed with grilled salmon as well as burgers. Has enough body to stand-up to leaner cuts of pork, and richer sauces.

D'Alphonso-Curran Sanford-Benedict Pinot Noir 2018

Santa Barbara County, California

$41 btl/retail

Bruno has been working with the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA for decades, and his intimate understanding of this parcel is clearly evident in this vintage. Generous fruit, and a crisp refreshing palate pops with cherry & pepper spices.

Varietal: Hand sorted Pinot Noir, 100% de-stemmed, then cold soaked in open-top fermenters at 40°F for 4 days before yeast inoculation. Time on skins totaled 14 days, maintaining a temperature below 76°F during fermentation, prior to barreling. This Pinot Noir completed Malolactic fermentation while aging in barrel. Aged for 18-months in 100% new French Oak.

Taste: Dark garnet in color with brilliant aromatics of Rainier cherry, wild rose and pomegranates, accompanied by hints of lavender and sandalwood. This Pinot Noir is rich, yet demure, and beautifully structured with subtle, silky tannins leading to an elegant finish.

Pairing Suggestion: The depth & layers go well with duck breast and/or confit. Pairs well with non-chocolate desserts if there is an extra pour after the main entrée.

 704.332.9910 (Myers Park) | 704.332.9913 (South End)

 [email protected] | www.petitphilippe.com

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