A Super Wine Paired with A Super Bowl
February 9, 2015
Michelle Williams
As Super Bowl Sunday was approaching I began planning our menu. Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest eating events of the year. Wings, queso, guacamole, pigs-in-the-blanket, the delicious food choices go on and on. I was planning a traditional big game menu for our family viewing party. As the game approached it became clear this year it would be a quitet game watching party, consisting of just my husband and I. Furthermore, my husband had dental surgery on Friday before the game. Although the surgery went well and his recovery was easy for him the instructions from the surgeon was no solid food for 3 days. (Que car screeching to a hault!) Ok, scrap all Super Bowl food plans and go to plan b. Thanks to Parker Sanpei andClaiborne and Churchill for sending me media samples I had already chosen a wine to pair with the big game so I only had to rework the meal to pair with the wine and my husband’s post-surgical mouth.
Claiborne and Churchill Twin Creeks Pinot Noir 2012: This wine poured a dazzling ruby with orange and violet highlights into the glass and opened with inviting aromas of concentrated ripe red and blue berries, rose petals with spice notes and cassis. On the palate this Pinot Noir was delicate yet lively and smooth. It was well structured and offered flavors of red cherries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries with hints of cola, spice and licorice, ending with a pleasing minerality finish. It offered round acidity, refined tannins and a lingering dry finish. This wine was drinking very well and will only get better over time with proper ageing. I recommend this wine!
This Pinot Noir was crafted from three clones: 40% 2A (Swiss clone, cherry, raspberry, rose petals, medium body and tannins), 20% 113 (Dijon clone, plum, cherry, raspberry, cedar, medium body, firm tannins), and 40% Martini (UC-Davis clone, AKA #13, strawberry, rhubarb, spice, delicate oak). I could smell and taste the contributions of these three clones elegantly married to create the vibrant yet elegant Twin Creek 2012 Pinot Noir. Claiborne and Churchill limits production of this high quality wine and it is primarily sold to members of their cellar club or in their tasting room. Road Trip! This wine was crafted from a collection of small vineyards on and around Twin Creeks Way, located down the road from the Claiborne and Churchill winery. The clonal selection along with the special soil of the Twin Creeks Vineyard create a bold, balanced wine. This is a great wine in which to purchase several bottles to age and open over time and to share with friends. Alcohol 13.8%. SRP $42
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