We are excited to continue our travels of the world in 2021 with our next case for February, the “All Aboard” box! We are going to hop on the train with our partner, Heather Tuten, of The Depot in Auburn!
Heather Tuten of The Depot
Heather is the Front of House manager and manages the wine program at The Depot. She loves learning about and (of course) drinking wine, spending time outdoors with her son and husband, and she cannot wait for live music events to return! Two things she thinks are important for everyone to know are 1. the best wine is the one you are drinking & the quality of wine is more about who you are drinking it with and less about terroir, and 2. try to remember to toss away stuff you don’t need in the end, but keep what’s important and know who’s your friend.
Our “Wino in Charge,” John Mark Davis, had a fun time talking with Heather and putting together the “All Aboard” box that showcases some of Heather’s favorite wines at The Depot. All of these wines will be featured at The Depot by the glass through the end of this month!
Each case (12 bottles; 3 of each selection) is $200 + tax. **If you want to just order 1 bottle of each selection (4 total) cost would be $85 + tax. Please indicate in your request if want to go with this option. **
Orders for this box are due by NOON, February 25th, with pickup the following day, February 26th at Cigar & Fine Spirits in Auburn, Alabama
Lake Martin: Orders are due by Wednesday, February 24th, with delivery on Thursday, February 25th at Grain & Leaf in Alexander City.
3 Bottles of 2019 Man Chenin Blanc
José Conde and brothers Tyrrel and Philip Myburgh started making wine together in 2001. They are further supported by a group of dedicated grape growers from the Agter-Paarl region of South Africa. From the first 300 cases made in a tractor shed, MAN Family Wines has grown to producing over 175,000 cases per year and exporting to 25 countries. Their philosophy is simple; “It all started as a simple plan: to make a wine that we’d love to buy. We wanted quality wine that offered excellent value and great packaging. Not exactly an epiphany, perhaps, but enough to motivate us into action. Of course, first we had to come up with a name. To keep peace in the families, we took our wives’ initials (we each have one wife) — that is how we explained to Marie, Anette and Nicky that we were going to be ‘busy’ most weekends. ‘It’s for you!’ we told them. And mostly it’s true.” This is a crisp, expressive, and light bodied wine. On the nose it has fragrances of pineapple, oranges, and fresh pears. On the palate it’s tangy and soft, as easy-drinking. It shows notes of stone fruit and apples that are backed by refreshing acidity, minerality, and a well rounded mouth-feel.
3 Bottles of 2019 Abbazia Di Novacella Kerner
This winery is located in the sleepy little town of Novacella, in the Isarco River Valley of Northern Italy. Abbazia was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular. The Augustians are not monks in the sense that most might be familiar with: they have taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to their superiors; but they also work to support themselves as a part of their community. To this end, the Abbey not only grows grapes for winemaking, but also farms apples and vegetables, and there is a small school devoted primarily to studies of viticulture. Kerner is a frost resistant grape that is grown primarily in Northern Italy, Germany and Alsace. This particular example is greenish to bright yellow in color with hints of peaches, apricots, and tones of tangerines on the nose. Very lively, juicy, and sleek on the palate, with a mineral-rich finish.
3 Bottles of 2018 Justin Girardin Bourgogne Rouge Pinot Noir
This family has been present in Burgundy since 1570. Justin represents the 13th generation of winemaking for this family in France. He has an inexhaustible energy, and he shows boldness and determination. His experiences outside Burgundy and abroad bring a modern touch and creativity in his winemaking. This is a delightful Pinot Noir that punches well above its weight with fruit from the Santenay commune. This wine showcases the winemakers finesse and has lovely aromatics of cherry, plum, and tomato vine. It has a classic Burgundian earthiness and lots of pure berry fruit, with a long finish.
3 Bottles of 2017 Bela
This is a 100% Tempranillo from CVNE in Ribera del Duero, Spain. CVNE, Compañía Vinícola del Norte del España (the Northern Spanish Wine Company), was founded in 1879 in the town of Haro in Rioja. CVNE was founded by two brothers and today is still controlled by the direct descendants of the founding family. This wine is fruity with notes of juicy plum, blueberry, and milk chocolate. It is atypical of Ribera’s spicy style, drinking similar to a New World red. It’s ripe and juicy — dare I say jammy? After a few minutes to settle down and and get some air it shows some more iconic notes of green herbs and moderated wood. A tremendous winter time red!!!
The Dining Winos 