Given that Le Pecheur (The Fisherman en Francais) wines are made by a commercial fisherman, these wines were specifically crafted to be enjoyed with seafood, but of course they pair well with land-based dishes as well. Or, just enjoyed on the patio, beach or boat as an aperitif or welcome glass of wine.
2021 Chenin Blanc
Joaquin’s Vineyard, Los Olivos District
Estate grown
Bottle $30.00
Pairing suggestion: Steve’s Scallop Chowder
Chenin blanc originated in the Anjou region of the Loire Valley of France, where the grape is also called pineau de la loire. It is likely to be an offspring of savagnin, a white grape from the Jura region of France. It thrives here in the Los Olivos District where the warm/hot days fully ripen the skis of the big, golden clusters and the cool/cold night-time temperatures maintain a lively acidity for great flavor and balance.
Floral aromas of pear blossom and honeycomb arise with a swirl. The first sip is bright and yet sauve and rich, with a yin/yang texture of acidity and creaminess. Flavors of stone fruits – peach and apricot come to mind – are then joined by reminders of honeydew melon and tinges of tangerine before a clean and minerally finish that lasts and lingers.
2022 Syrah Rosé
Joaquin’s Vineyard, Los Olivos District
Estate Grown
Bottle $30.00
Pairing suggestions: Bouillabaise, (Seafood stew), Sushi
There are many ways to make Rosé, but the traditional method is to grow the red grapes to make a pink wine, harvest at lower sugar levels for lower alcohol and use the whole cluster in winemaking. This Le Pecheur pink wine was make exactly in that way to produce a light-bodied and yet fruit-forward Rosé. Rosé wines can be made from any red grape varietal, with some of the worlds best crafted from grapes originating from the Rhône Valley in France. Such as Syrah!
Almost as pretty to look at as delicious to drink, a coral color beckons one to the glass where a swirl produces aromas of wild strawberry, rose petal and raspberry. Crisp and lean at first sip, the wine delivers reminders of guava, watermelon, white peach and hints of tangerine. Fruity, but dry (as in no residual sugar), there are nuances of stone fruit and garden herb, and a pleasing, palate-cleansing finish.
2021 Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills
Bottle $36.00
Pairing suggestions: Cioppino (Cio-Pinot!), cedar-planked Salmon
Burgundy (what else?) in color, with magenta edges that expresses the wine’s youthfulness. A bouquet of classic Pinot Noir aromas are released in the glass, with black cherry mingling with spice. Medium-bodied, with beautiful balance of flavor, acid and tannins, the palate is rewarded with baked cherry and blackberry, boysenberry and dashes of clove and anise.
2021 Syrah
Joaquin’s Vineyard, Los Olivos District
Estate Grown
Bottle $30.00
Pairing suggestion: Grilled Swordfish, blackened Tuna
Decanter Magazine noted that “Santa Barbara County Syrah’s are some of the most nuanced and expressive in California. And yet, within our own County’s different AVAs, they are all so wonderfully different. Here in Joaquin’s Vineyard on the western edge of the Los Olivos District, we have warm days to bring out the jammy/berry notes and cool/cold nights to add that level of spiciness so desired in a Syrah.
It’s dark! Shall we say as dark as a “wine dark sea”? The purple-y hue fortells of the rich texture of the wine, and a swirl unleashes a dark plum, mulberry and blackberry bouquet. Both acidity and tannins are moderate and lift the fruit profile of blackberry, blueberry, hints of cassis and a white pepper spicy component. The finish is mouth-coating and refreshing with more spice and a reminder of tapenade.
2019 Melon de Bourgogne
Joaquin’s Vineyard, Los Olivos District
Estate grown
Bottle $24.00
Sold Out
Pairing suggestions: Moules Mariniere (Mussels steamed in white wine), oysters
Melon de Bourgogne is known as Muscadet in the Loire region of France, and well loved for its lean, minerally character that complements the foods of that region. As Muscadet is the name of a region in France, we cannot call it that here due to our agreement with the EU (the same reason Champagne is known as Sparkling Wine here). Not to be confused at all with Moscato, Melon is traditionally a bone-dry, lean and light-bodied wine, and this 2019 Le Pecheur version is no different.
A light gold hue and a brilliant clarity beg for a swirl, which gently releases notes of citrus peel and Asian pear. There is a bracing freshness at first sip, but with a breadth of texture that carries flavors of lime, apple, some wild fennel and sage and a stony minerally character. The finish is lingering and crisp with hints of salinity that speak to its coastal origin.
