< Tasting Notes

Wines to Keep Summer Vibes Alive
- September 2025

(**NOTE - Links are embedded in each winemaker’s names to direct you to their respective websites. Know thy vintner!**)

FATTORIA SAN LORENZO ‘Di Gino’ Bianco 2023 * Marche, Italy
’Di Gino’ Bianco is a Verdicchio that blends heritage and clarity. Harvested from estate vineyards, the grapes are fermented with native yeasts aged on the lees for six months in concrete, followed by a brief settling period in bottle, resulting in a wine that balances texture and shine. The biodynamic farming, warmth of the Marche sun, and limestone-influenced soils give this wine an aromatic energy and a driving intensity without a trace of heaviness. It’s Verdicchio that shocks the palate and brings pristine minerality in right behind..

Natalino Crognaletti is the third-generation steward of Fattoria San Lorenzo, following in the footsteps of his father Gino (the namesake behind ‘Di Gino’). Under his guidance, the estate has embraced organic and biodynamic farming across its 35 hectares, weaving animals, biodiversity, and vineyard health into the heart of the land. Natalino uses stainless steel, concrete, and occasionally amphora to craft natural, textured whites meant to reflect the land and legacy of Marche. His mindful, low-intervention approach results in wines that resonate with integrity, terroir, and thoughtful storytelling.

Grape(s) - 100% Verdicchio

Flavors - Vibrant and crystalline, the wine features flavors of crisp green apple, pear, and peach skin, with a delicate whisper of toasted nuts. Its racy acidity carries through bright citrus pith and a mineral finish, giving it precision and a fresh, graceful lift.

Serving - Serve this with oysters on the half shell, lemon-roasted chicken, or a spring pea risotto. This wine is your humidity buster. The air feels thick…take a sip!

Album Pairing - TALKING HEADS – ‘Remain in Light’ - 1980 * Angular, energetic, and endlessly inventive, ‘Remain in Light ‘ is a perfect match for this zippy, crystalline Verdicchio. Just as the album layers Afrobeat rhythms, art-rock guitar lines, and David Byrne’s restless vocals into something both cerebral and joyful, the wine layers green apple, citrus pith, and mineral tension into a seamless, refreshing whole. Both the record and the wine feel like they’re in constant motion—bright, buzzing, alive with ideas. Sip and listen, and you’ll find the same pulse of energy driving them forward, equal parts heady and fun.

UCO DEUS ‘Golem’ Malbec 2022 * Mendoza, Argentina
’Golem’ derives its name from the mythical guardian, an apt metaphor for this bold yet thoughtful Malbec. Crafted with low intervention, it’s aged for eight months in large concrete egg amphorae (~3,300 liters), preserving freshness and allowing gentle oxygen exchange—and flavor layering—to develop. By bottling unfined and unfiltered, the wine retains a tactile purity and textural resonance. The high-altitude Uco Valley sun, stony soils, and careful amphora aging result in a wine that feels powerful yet precise—deeply Argentine, but with clarity and control.

Uco Deus is a boutique project born within the Uco Wines estate, a family-run operation focused on both innovation and terroir. The team celebrates Paraje Altamira’s expressive microclimate through organic practices and low-intervention cellar work. By harnessing large concrete amphora instead of oak, they embrace freshness and site expression over varietal swagger. This Malbec feels as much about place as personality—a respectful, soulful expression rather than an overt statement.

Grape(s) - 100% Malbec

Flavors - Aromas of lush dark cherry, blackberry, and blueberry unfold with violet florals, mint accents, and a touch of black pepper and earthiness. On the palate, rich fruit gives way to round texture, moderate acidity, and polished tannins—finishing with a savory, mineral lift. It’s plush yet balanced, with a quiet power that lingers.

Serving - Think grilled flank steak tacos, empanadas with chimichurri, or mushroom ragù over polenta. Absolutely at home around anything that has been kissed by the grill.

** AUDIOPHILE LP OF THE MONTH CLUB VINYL**

Album Pairing - ILLA J - 'John Yancey' - 2018 * Smooth, layered, and deeply personal, ‘John Yancey’ is the perfect echo of this Malbec’s mood. Illa J’s soulful blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop feels both grounding and expansive, much like the wine’s dark fruit core, violet lift, and stony minerality. Together, they create a pairing that’s bold yet unpretentious—made for slow evenings, easy conversation, and a little reflection as the night lingers on.

ZÖHLHOF ‘Dionysos’ Gewürztraminer 2020 * Alto Adige, Italy
’Dionysos’ takes its name from the god of wine, and this vintage embodies that balance of passion and poise. Hand-picked fruit underwent a brief maceration and spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel, capturing both aromatic intensity and precision. Biodynamic farming at 600 meters, combined with the cooler vintage conditions, gives the wine its dual nature: floral and spicy, but sharpened by citrus brightness and alpine energy. It’s Gewürztraminer with poise—a wine that lingers gracefully without ever tipping into heaviness.

Josef Unterfrauner and his family steward Zöhlhof with patience and purpose. This centuries-old estate, located west of Feldthurns, adopted organic practices back in 1994 and transitioned to biodynamics by 2009. They farm small parcels - about 2.2 hectare - on steep slopes where vines grow amid sand, gravel, and klausite. Josef left the local cooperative in 2001 to bring his vision to life independently. Today, he crafts Gewürztraminer with minimal intervention and deep reverence for terroir. The result is wines that feel like statements of regional serenity and parts of an ongoing family legacy.

Grape(s) - 100% Gewürztraminer

Flavors - Golden-green in the glass, with aromas of rose petals, citrus peel, and dried apricot layered over nutmeg and mountain herbs. The palate is full yet taut—stone fruit and florals balanced by spice, mineral lift, and a long, refreshing finish that shows more structure than sweetness.

Serving - Pair with spiced duck breast, Thai coconut curry, or aged Munster cheese. Ideal for a late afternoon in the garden, surrounded by blossoms and fresh air.

Album Pairing - BJÖRK - ‘Post’ - 1995 * Bold, eclectic, and richly textured—’Post’ is the audio equivalent of ‘Dionysos.’ Björk’s voice weaves flowers, wonder, and edgy artistry, much like the wine’s wild-rose and spice core wrapped in clarity. It’s a pairing that rewards curiosity and lingers long after the final note.

NICOLAS-JAY ‘Bishop Creek’ Pinot Noir 2022 * Willamette Valley, Oregon
CLUB EXCLUSIVE!! ‘Bishop Creek’ captures the extremes of its terroir—rugged elevation shifts, shallow roots plunging into nutrient-poor soils, and a cool, delayed 2022 harvest that stretched deep into October. These conditions yielded tiny, thick-skinned berries with profound texture. Harvested in mid-October, the grapes were destemmed and subjected to native yeast fermentation with no fining or filtration. After 15 months in French oak (50% new), the wine emerges with bright, cool-climate acidity, energetic precision, and a brooding, ageworthy depth that unfolds over time. It’s a powerful yet poised Pinot Noir that speaks of grit, grace, and place.

Jean-Nicolas Méo, one of Burgundy’s most respected vignerons (Domaine Méo-Camuzet), founded Nicolas-Jay in 2012 alongside music entrepreneur Jay Boberg (a lifelong Pinot lover). Together with assistant winemaker Noah Roberts, they apply Burgundian rigor and Willamette curiosity. Jay handles vineyard logistics and cellar rhythm, Noah spearheads daily cellar work, and Jean-Nicolas weaves their shared vision into every barrel. The partnership blends Burgundian technique, organic stewardship, and artistry, with a focus on terroir, tension, and timelessness.

Grape(s) - 100% Pinot Noir

Flavors - Deep garnet in color, aromas unfold with brambly mountain blackberry compote, sagebrush, lavender, and a hint of pencil shavings. The palate is initially muscular—tight-structured tannins swirl within flavors of roasted plum, crushed granite, and smoked fennel. With air, it unlocks layers of black tea, roasted herbs, and a persistent mineral thread that fades slowly, leaving your glass echoing its presence.

Serving - Best shared in twilight with a serving of wild mushroom risotto, duck confit with cherry glaze, or roast beet and goat cheese salad. Bring your wool sweater, and let the wine unfold slowly beside good conversation and soft laughter.

** EXTRA SPECIAL LP OF THE MONTH CLUB VINYL - A GIFT FROM THE ARTIST**
Queen Anne local Daniel G. Harmann wants to share this amazing album with you! Aren’t you glad you’re in the club!

Album Pairing - DANIEL G. HARMANN - ‘Unspoken Ghosts’ - 2023 * This wine finds a haunting resonance in ‘Unspoken Ghosts’, where Harmann’s layered arrangements and lyrical intimacy echo the Bishop Creek Pinot’s depth and quiet intensity. Just as the wine reveals brambly fruit, mineral edges, and a slow unfurling of detail, the album carries a hushed gravity that deepens with each listen. Both ask for patience, both reward it—and together, they create an atmosphere of reflection, warmth, and a little mystery, lingering long after the glass (or the last track) is empty.

REMINDERS

• To celebrate our valued club members we offer 20% off all food ordered on the day you pick-up. 

• If you can not pick up on the pick up dates please contact mckay@barmiriam.com and we will hold your allotment offsite and can arrange for a future pick up.

• Email mckay@barmiriam.com to buy more single bottles or a case with special club pricing.

• Queen Anne Bottle Shop is open Tuesday-Saturday from 3:00pm — 8:00pm.

• Wine pairs best with friends. Tell your friends.