Let's Get Tasting!
Congratulations, you've received your wine! Be sure to remove the outer packaging sleeve on your box and trim on the dotted-line to reveal your Yes, Chef! tasting mat.
When you are ready for your tasting experience, you can access the virtual tasting videos, as well as additional wine details, below.
Come sip with us!
You bring your wine, we'll bring our sommelier. Join us and fellow wine lovers for a LIVE virtual tasting on November 29th, at 5pm PT, 8pm ET. Register via button below. (Psst: Did someone say giveaways?)
yes, chef! tasting No.1
Estola Verdejo
Details
Vintage: 2021
Producer: Bodegas Ayuso
Region: La Mancha, Spain
Grapes: 100% Verdejo
Tasting Notes
A tropical fruit basket of pineapple, ripe melon and a touch of banana. All these flavors translate to the palate but remain as refreshing as a fruity, dry white tea.
Pairing Recommendations
Citrus Herb StuffingFish, Crab, Oysters
Interesting Fact
Jean Marc and his Daughter Aurélie produce all of the wines. Jean Marc focuses on the reds and whites while Aurélie's passion lies in her rosé project, Château L'Enclos des Roses.
yes, chef! tasting no.2
Lagar de Brais
Details
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Adegas Francisco Fernandez
Region: Ribeiro, Spain
Grapes: Palomino, Treixadura, Torrontes
Tasting Notes
A rare blend of sherry grapes and white wine grapes culminating in an intense straw yellow offering. Green sparkles in the glass give off aromas of pineapple, apple and exotic fruits while the palate brings meyer lemon and sweet herb notes to the mix.
Pairing Recommendation
Roast Turkey withLemon-Herb Butter
Interesting Fact
Once a history teacher, Francisco took over his family's vineyard and winery once he felt the call of Viticulture after a memorable trip home to Galicia.
yes, chef! tasting no.3
Chateau du Donjon Minervois Blanc
Details
Vintage: 2021
Producer: Chateau du Donjon
Region: Languedoc, France
Grapes: Rousanne, Vermentino
Tasting Notes
Light green in color with a richness to the nose. Notes of grapefruit, carmalized passion fruit, a touch of vanilla and some Pear Williams' as well. The fruits translate to the palate with a freshness that's balanced by minerality and fruitiness.
Pairing Recommendations
Butternut Squash and KaleSalad with Cranberriesand Pecans
Interesting Fact
Located between the sea and the Thau Lagoon, Château du Donjon is located about 10 kilometres north-east of Carcassonne in the heart of Bagnoles. It was once the property of the monks of the abbey of Caunes-Minervois and was used as an outpost. It takes its name from the ancient castle at Bagnoles. The estate has been in the PANIS-MIALHE family since the 15th century and still has its picturesque 13th century donjon.
yes, chef! tasting no.4
Lyna
Details
Vintage: 2016
Producer: Enológico Wamba
Region: Castilla y Leon, Spain
Grapes: Tempranillo, Merlot, Syrah
Tasting Notes
An aged red wine with mature fruit notes of balsamic soaked cherries and sugar roasted plums. Vanilla and cigar box spices surround a dark red fruit core. Surprisingly fresh and zippy for it's age, the finish is cocoa and cedar dusted candied cherries.
Pairing Recommendations
Roasted Root Vegetables, Rich Casseroles
Interesting Fact
Enologico Wamba was formed in 2005 to be not only a winery but also a place for art. They purchase grapes from the fanciest areas in Spain but choose not to use their fancy titles so that they can artfully create the wines they they feel are the best expression of the fruit.
yes, chef! tasting no.5
Básico
Details
Vintage: 2021
Producer: Tinedo
Region: La Mancha, Spain
Grapes: Tempranillo
Tasting Notes
Expressive and straightforward with blue flowers, violets, cherry licorice like Red-Vines and a hint of blood orange. Fresh finish with more fruit than tannin.
Pairing Recommendation
Creamy Mashed Potatoesand Gravy, Roasted Pork
Interesting Fact
La Mancha is an arid yet fertile elevated plateau south of Madrid. The name is derived from the Arab word 'al-mansha' or 'the dry land.'
yes, chef! tasting no.6
cuvée des Drilles
Details
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Domaine d'Escausses
Region: Gaillac, France
Grapes: Braucol, Duras, Syrah
Tasting Notes
Winemaker Jean Marc likes to describe this wine in one simple word: rouge. Tough to argue when the wine is such a deep, deep garnet color boasting intense scents of red fruits and whiffs of vanilla tinged berries. There's a bramble twig undergrowth note in there along with some spicy hints from the wood aging. The mouthfeel is full and structured with melty tannins and plenty of sapid "rouge" flavors.
Pairing Recommendations
Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Candied Sweet Potatoes
Interesting Fact
Gaillac has been making wine for well over 2,000 years. Originally one of the growing regions of the Gaul along with Hermitage and Cote-Rotie, the grapes here were imported by The Phoenicians during the 4th century BC.
