It may be hard to believe but the new spring season is upon us and with it comes some of our favorite new releases! To help kick-off the spring season, we have chosen three selections of Jolie-Laide to share with you, but keep in mind, these incredibly limited bottlings will not last long.
If you are interested in bright, balanced, honest wines from incredibly talented and charismatic winemakers who have the confidence to push boundaries, yet still produce wines that overflow with elegance and finesse, look no further than JOLIE-LAIDE, founded by winemaker Scott Schultz.
Scott’s vision of making his own wine caught light in 2007 when he moved from Chicago to Napa Valley to assist with the wine program at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro. In the years that followed, Scott went on to work harvests and as a cellar master for Pax Mahle of Wind Gap Wines in Sebastopol, who allowed Scott to make a bit of wine for himself using the obscure Trousseau Gris grape. By 2010, Jolie-Laide had officially launched! The name Jolie-Laide translates loosely to “Pretty-Ugly”, a French term of endearment to describe something that is unconventionally beautiful. Today, Scott makes some of the most unique and highly sought-after wines in California that are true to their name. Whether enjoyed poolside or alongside dinner, each of these unique bottlings is the perfect complement to any experience.
Grown at high elevation in the beautiful red soils of the Sierra Foothills, this Gamay was picked in two separate passes, one early and one a bit later to create a wine that was a bit riper than in years passed. Partial carbonic maceration lends its distinctive high tone appeal but the clusters are eventually crushed by foot and fermentation finishes with traditional skin contact and extraction. Only six months of aging in neutral barrique then bottled young to preserve delicate aromatics. Light, fresh and utterly charming. Wild strawberry and summer herbs with cranberry tartness sure to capture your attention!
