Quick Sip: Coquerel Wines Le Petit 2013 Verdelho

Hello Friends,

Today’s Quick Sip is the 2013 Verdelho from Coquerel Family Wine Estates. Located just beyond Calistoga, Coquerel Family Wine Estates specializes in crafting small lots of estate-grown wines from their seven acre Walnut Wash vineyard; with an emphasis on growing high-quality Sauvignon Blanc. The estate site is also planted to small quantities of Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, and Verdelho. A Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are produced from leading sites located in Napa Valley. This Verdelho is on the producer’s “Le Petit” label, which is designed to emphasize pure varietal character, balance and accessibility. Their second label, titled “Terroir,” emphasizes site, complexity and age-worthiness.

Verdelho is a little-known white wine grape; that despite enjoying a rich history, lacks name recognition among many wine consumers. Nevertheless, the variety is capable of producing interesting, well-balanced wines. Verdelho is generally associated with one of the four varieties traditionally used in making the fortified wines from the Portuguese island of Madeira. The grape thrives in the warmer growing regions of Australia, producing medium-bodied dry table wines. Verdelho generally takes a shine to warm and drier climates, so I’m not surprised to find it doing well in California vineyards. Coquerel Family Wine Estates’ winemaker, Christine Barbe, who was born and raised in Bordeaux, France, did full justice in expressing the beauty of the 2013 vintage in this attractive bottle of Verdelho. I enjoyed it on its own and with pan seared sea scallops with a light pesto cream and vegetables. For further information and where you can find this wine, please see my tasting notes below.


Review: Coquerel Wines Le Petit 2013 Verdelho (SRP $22): This delightful medium-bodied wine exudes freshness and a youthful purity, with inviting aromas suggestive of crisp yellow-fleshed fruit, juicy pear, and plenty of ripe citrus fruit. The palate mirrors the aromatics; with a clean, bright acid backbone balancing the flavors and driving through the brisk, lingering finish. This wine’s overall vibrancy, lovely texture, good depth of flavor, and food friendly nature, gives it an appealing personality that will keep you coming back for more! Approximately 417 cases of this wine were produced. Region: Calistoga, California. Other info: ABV 13.5%, fermented in stainless steel barrels, 7 months sur lie, screw cap enclosure. Click here to find this wine.

Have a question about this post? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned ...more to come. Happy Sipping, my friends! Disclosure: This wine was provided for review. Thoughts are my own.

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