...the natural path to go down might be lighter-bodied Pinot Noirs and Gamays, or grill-friendly, rich reds like Zinfandel or Rhone-Blends. These are tried and true options, but there is a new wave of organic and biodynamic reds made from traditionally-rich varietals that check both the light-bodied and grill-friendly boxes. In order to expose people to some fun products, Steve’s is currently featuring two organic/biodynamic reds to pair with your next BBQ or day on the porch!
The first of these is Mother Rock’s 2016 Force Celeste, a blend of Pinotage, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvedre sourced from the Swartland appellation of South Africa. This wine is made via spontaneous fermentation before being aged in concrete for 9 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The first thing you notice is the intense, cloudy ruby tint of the wine. This aesthetic richness is subverted by the nose, which is moderately intense, with notes of bright, tart cherry and strawberry with subtle hints of soil, flint, and game. On the palate, this wine is bone dry, with medium tannin and medium plus acid. This acidity, paired with a modest 11.5% abv, makes for a bright, tart, and refreshing wine with notes of fresh cherry, five spice, cinnamon, and subtle minerality. The liveliness of this wine paired with its spice notes makes it a prime pairing candidate for rich BBQ, meat-based or otherwise!
The second wine, Azienda Agricola COS’s 2018 Nero di Lupo comes to us from the Terre Siciliene IGP (Sicily). This wine is 100% Nero D’Avola and also goes through spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts before being aged in concrete prior to bottling; an unorthodox method for a grape that is traditionally produced in a rich, ripe style. This does not have the untouched look of the Mother Rock, as the wine is unfiltered, but not unfined, The nose is moderately intense, with dark red fruits like black cherry being mixed with tertiary notes of spice and violets. The palate has medium plus tannin and acidity; retaining the dark red fruit and spice while adding subtle notes of game and leather. This wine is tailor-made for foods roasted on an open flame, whether it’s pork, vegetable kabobs, or even pizza.
For a limited time, we are extending our traditional club member discount of 15% on these wines to everyone! These are two delicious, and well-crafted wines that will reward an adventurous palate and those truly committed to the potential of a perfect food/wine pairing.
Stop by and pick up a bottle or two before they are gone.
May 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM
Happy Presidents’ Day!
What a fantastic day it has been here in mid-February. We hope you had a chance to be out in this beautiful weather and are excited for the week ahead (even though it chills back down to the 50’s).
This last weekend was a blast starting on Thursday with Galentine’s Day followed by Valentine’s Day. We were presenting red roses along with our special chocolates for those in attendance enjoying some wine. We had stocked up on the chocolates, both on the individual and the six packs, so we still have plenty available for people to enjoy.
Saturday was the Grand Premier of our new piano. The house was packed with people, many of whom we have never seen before. That was likely due to the nice article the Denton Record Chronicle did on Thursday about Dave Meder and our new piano.
Of course how can leave out our fun Sunday night performance with our Mosaic Band from FUMC of Denton. Everyone had fun with the wide array of music we played and once again, the house was packed. We truly appreciate all those who are coming out to enjoy the live music.
This week we have another full week of activities at the bar:
Visit our Events page and our Facebook Page
Have you voted yet? It’s that time of year when the Best of Denton voting is happening. We would love to have your support in the Bars and Nightlife section in several categories as well as in the Shopping category for Best Wine Shop. If you happen to not see us listed in the patio section, and feel so inclined, please write us in for that recognition!
Thanks once again for all your support! I hope you have a great week and we’ll see you soon!
Steve Severance
Feb 17, 2020 at 3:36 PM
Don’t look for the term “boutique winery” in the dictionary — it’s not there! But most wine enthusiasts can agree that the boutique image includes a passionate artisan vineyard (perhaps family-owned), a fiercely individual and unique style, and limited production.
When you look at their passion for creating special small batch wines, you will agree, this is a team of people who take a boutique approach to their wine.
We are pleased to present a special tasting with Tyler Russell from Cordant-Nelle Winery in Paso Robles, California.
Come join us as we taste through 5 wines on August 29th 5pm to 8pm at Steve’s Wine Bar in Denton, Texas.
Click here to learn more and RSVP for the tasting.
TYLER RUSSELL
It all started for Tyler (a California native) while working in a wine shop in Upstate New York. While stocking shelves and conversing with customers about wine, Tyler quickly discovered that he had a role to play in this industry.
In his early 20’s, Tyler packed his bags and headed to Paso Robles to pursue his dreams. It didn’t take long for him to get a tasting room gig at Dover Canyon Winery where he was shown the ropes of the trade, honing his knowledge while performing any job big or small. After Dover Canyon Tyler began methodically crafting his winemaking and cellar skills at other Paso Robles wineries including Justin, Zenaida and Calcaerous, while investing his spare time into his own project called Nelle Winery which produced its first wines in 2008.
In 2014 Tyler joined forces with business partner David Taylor to create Tyler David Wine Works, which continues the Nelle label and also created the Cordant Winery label.
We will be tasting 5 of Tyler’s wines at this event.
The 2016 Cordant Central Coast Pinot Noir boasts loads of fresh potpourri, pomegranate cherry, Palo Santo, and leather on the nose. The nose is confirmed on the palate with added Earl Grey and dried orange peel. Perfectly in balance, this wine is soft and elegant.
WINEMAKER NOTES: Sourced from a selection of vineyards in Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Rita Hills, and Edna Valley, where each site is picked at optimum ripeness determined by taste.
340 Cases produced. Cellar potential 6-10 years.
The 2016 Nelle Grenache is a blend of several Central Coast Grenache vineyards from Paso Robles and Santa Barbara County. It is rich and savory, with a beautiful herbaceous quality, as well as caramelized fig, black olive, black pepper, fennel and purple-flower flavors. This wine will easily seduce you into finishing the whole bottle.
267 cases produced. Cellar potential 10-12 years.
The 2016 Nelle Syrah is a blend of several Central Coast Syrah vineyards, from Paso Robles, Monterey County, and Santa Barbara County. Blending vineyards that include both cooler climate and warmer climate characteristics, this Syrah is dense and robust. Flavors of A&W Root Beer float, warm vanilla bean, campfire, espresso, scorched earth, and river mint. This wine will continue to develop beautifully over the next 3+ years.
434 cases produced. Cellar Potential 8-10 years.
The 2016 Nelle Coastview Vineyard Syrah – The Coastview Vineyard is located in the Gabilan Mountains in Monterrey County. Elevated 2000 feet above the Salinas Valley, it is planted in decomposed granite and veins of limestone. This Syrah is full of deep meat complexity and the aromas are fresh and fruity in its youth. This Syrah is bright with inky dense blackberry, Asian plum, fresh ground black pepper, dried lavender and silky tannins. It is balanced and shows great aging potential.
98 cases produced. Cellar potential 8-12 years.
The 2016 Nelle Maniacal - Paso Robles - Grenache takes the spotlight in this blend "GSM" showcasing beautiful blue and black fruit flavors. On the mid-palate, Syrah shows its pretty little face in the form of roasted coffee, meat, and pencil shaving. The finish is longer than this tasting note and leaves a lingering taste of purple violets and lavender.
50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre
199 cases produced. Cellar potential 8-12 years.
Aug 19, 2019 at 9:13 AM
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we have added some new chocolates to our line of products. These are spirit filled (cognac) and wine filled (cabernet) chocolates made right here in Texas! We also have 1/2 lb boxes of Dark Chocolate Bark to enjoy with you wine.
We have the Cabernet filled chocolates as individual tastes or a 6 pack box to share (or not). We also have the French Cognac filled chocolate as individual serving at this time.
Come and try these out and let us know if you would like us to expand our options to include other spirits and flavors.
Our provider is Quintessential Chocolates, which specializes in the centuries old art form of casting “Liqueur Praliné” or the European style Liquid Center Chocolates (“with a sugar crust”). "The process we use is more than 200 years old. To our knowledge, we are still the only manufacturer of this specialty confection in America and we have been creating these chocolates since 1984".
Europeans primarily make Brandy filled chocolates. Since Americans do not typically drink Kirschwasser as a rule, they created liquid center chocolates filled with premium spirits, wines, coffees and fruit nectars…flavors that cater to American tastes. "We may have been the first company worldwide to create such a wide spectrum of wine varietals and may even be the only manufacturer in the world to create non-alcohol liquid centers in this manner made with coffees and fruit nectars".
These confections are all handmade in the traditional centuries-old method. They cast the liquid centers into freshly made cornstarch molds. In this process, sugar crystals literally lock together, forming a crystalline shell only a few sugar crystals thick. This forms an edible moisture barrier to prohibit the chocolate from pulling the flavor, and the alcohol out of the liquid center (or allowing it to evaporate through the wall of chocolate). Because of this, you truly do have a large volume of liquid inside a very thin chocolate shell. You must place the entire product within your mouth or your chin may have all the fun!
The other exciting aspect of this sugar shell is the way it actually enhances the flavor within. Just as sugar on sliced strawberries will bring out the flavor, this sugar shell intensifies the liquid flavor. It is so good at this that you can do a taste test between two bourbons – a sour mash and a straight – and you will be able to distinguish the difference. You can even tell the difference between two straight bourbons, where one is a 10 year old handmade Kentucky bourbon.
"It is so distinctive that we have even had Vintner’s identify the wine within the chocolate and the Vineyard!"
From start to finish the process takes 3-5 days to complete. Because the wines, coffees and nectars have more suspended solids (pectins, botanicals, etc) within, they can get in the way of the sugar shell formation. When they get in between the sugar crystals bonding to sugar crystals, then it makes for a more fragile shell. These products will actually require additional time and these suspended solids can also effect shelf-life. Once the liquid capsules are formed, all of the cornstarch is removed, then the capsules are enrobed (literally covered) in rich dark chocolate.
Now that you know how it's done, it's time to stop by Steve's and give them a try!
Feb 8, 2019 at 10:00 AM
August 5th, 2016 was the beginning of Steve's Wine Bar in historic Downtown Denton, TX. Since that time Steve's has been voted as one of the best wine bars in Denton County and THE bar for jazz in Denton by the Denton Visitors Bureau. Come out and join the team this weekend as we roll out specials on beverages by the glass, by the bottle, and our new T-Shirts. We will be extending our hours on Sunday August 5th with a special performance by Carlos Averhoff and his quartet that evening 7 - 9pm.
Jun 22, 2018 at 8:33 AM
Come and join us for this weekend's wine specials. Come and enjoy these three great wines for $10 off bottles to-go while supplies last. Or enjoy special pricing by the glass here at the bar.
Jun 8, 2018 at 12:30 PM
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