Producer Spotlight: Stagiaire

Producer Spotlight: Stagiaire
I love American wine, or more accurately, I love what's happening in American wine. The US is in the midst of a small revolution, from Napa to New York, young winemakers are venturing into undiscovered terroirs, farming more astutely, and dialing back the heavy-handed winemaking techniques that have plagued much of domestic wine for so long.

This Fourth of July, I wanted to highlight one my newest and most exciting discoveries: Stagiaire. A spry, young winemaker who's unbridled take on traditional California wines have struck gold. His modern interpretation of classic California varieties is truly exhilarating, and on full display in these two wines. Each builds on a deep core of familiar, sun-kissed California fruit with bristling energy, uncommon elegance and a certain je ne sais quoi, which can only come from wines that are carving a new and original path.

Once you taste these wines, you'll realize as I did, the future of American wine is in very good hands. 
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'Thirst Trap' Sauvignon Blanc 2022
$52.99

100% Sauvignon Blanc planted in 1982 in Yorkville Highlands. A plot planted exclusively to Bordeaux varieties on steep, shale terraces at more than 1100 feet above sea level. Half the grapes are directly pressed into a tank while the remaining are left as whole bunches, all ferment together. Maceration is kept short to preserve freshness, lightness and detail. Aged a full year in neutral French oak before release.

Opens with a bang: the nose is full of candied citrus, fresh squeezed lime juice, and chalky dust minerality. There's plenty of freshness on the palate with zippy citrus, slight tropical notes, and a faint hint of tannin to ground this brisk, high-energy wine. Serve cold with grilled tuna and a piquant chimichurri. 
'Relief in Ambiguity' Pinot Noir 2022
$54.99

100% Pinot Noir from 22-year-old vines planted on the exposed rocky soils of the Santa Cruz mountains at 1700-1800 feet in elevation. Hand-harvested and fermented using whole bunches with very gentle extraction. The wine is pressed into neutral French oak barrels for a year of aging before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. 

Baritone and brooding, there's serious depth to this wine. Layers of black cherry, clove, forest floor and peppercorn waft from the glass. The palate is a deft mix of tart red fruit and ripe, brambly black berries with soft floral notes supported by racy acidity and elegant, polished tannins. A thorough decant is recommended, as you'll be rewarded with a wine that evolves as it unfolds. 
Winemaker Brent Mayeaux still considers himself a student. His project Stagiaire is derived from a term for apprentice in French, a name applied to Brent while studying in the Jura. Having lived and worked the world over, Brent now makes wine with a handful of other next-generation winemakers high-up in the Santa Cruz mountains.

His focus is on organic vineyards, having only recently acquired a few parcels of his own as of 2020. To quote Brent: "I want to work with good people that are trying to farm with nature instead of against it."
2-PACK PRICE - $107.98

*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - $99.98

To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843.576.4845
Justin Coleman
Proprietor 
Monarch Wine Merchants
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