(2/27) Tasting: Old World vs. New World: The Ultimate Liquid Duel

Settle the Global Debate—One Glass at a Time.

Is your palate rooted in the limestone-rich, storied terroirs of the Old World, or does it crave the vibrant, sun-drenched energy of the New World? This Friday, February 27, we aren’t just tasting wine; we’re conducting a high-stakes sensory investigation into the styles that define the modern cellar.

Why This Is an Absolute Essential for Your Calendar

For the true enthusiast, wine is about more than just a label—it's about the tension between tradition and innovation.

• The Simultaneous Pour: To truly learn, you must compare. Every guest receives two glasses at once for every flight. Experience the structural variance of a Burgundy and an Oregon Pinot side-by-side, analyzing the color, aromatics, and texture in real-time.
• The $60 Credit: Your $68 entry fee is an investment in your private collection. We are providing a $60 credit toward any purchase of the evening’s 14 featured wines.
• A "Top 100" Showcase: We have curated a masterclass lineup featuring legendary houses and critics' darlings with scores reaching up to [JS 97].

When

Friday, February 27th, 2026

Two sessions are available - only 12 spaces available per session:

Please arrive at the start time to experience the full Masterclass!

• 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
• 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Click & Add to Calendar 📆

Where
Artisan Wine & Spirits
2495 Old Middlefield Way
Mountain View, CA, 94043
650-917-8080

The 14 Contenders

Round 1: The Sparkling Icons

• Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne NV (France) [WS 91, WE 90, JS 90]
  • Heritage & Accolades: Founded in 1785, this is the "Champagne of the Stars," historically favored by Marie Antoinette and the official pour of the Oscars.
  • Palate Profile: A classic Old World structure. Rich and structured with notes of toasted brioche, almond, and juicy pear. It offers a majestic, full-bodied mouthfeel.
• Schramsberg North Coast Blanc de Blancs 2022 (California) [WS 92]
  • Heritage & Accolades: The undisputed king of American bubbles. Schramsberg made history when it was chosen for the 1972 "Toast to Peace" in Beijing—the first time an American wine was served at a State function.
  • Palate Profile: Crisp, vibrant, and incredibly precise. Expect a nose of green apple and lemon zest, leading to a creamy, elegant finish with a fine, persistent bead.

Round 2: The Sauvignon Blanc Showdown

• Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (New Zealand) [WS 90, #41 Top 100 of 2024]
  • Heritage & Accolades: A global benchmark. Ranked #41 in the Top 100 Wines of 2024, this is the wine that defined the Marlborough style for the world.
  • Palate Profile: Explosive and zesty. Ripe passionfruit and lemongrass dominate the nose, balanced by a razor-sharp acidity that refreshes the soul.
• Twomey (Silver Oak) Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (California) [DM 93, JS 93]
  • Heritage & Accolades: From the legendary family behind Silver Oak Cellars. This is Sauvignon Blanc reimagined with Napa/Sonoma luxury and technical precision.
  • Palate Profile: Sophisticated and textured. It trades grassy notes for white peach, citrus blossom, and a mineral-driven finish that rivals the best of the Loire.

Round 3: The Rare White Rhone Duel

• Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2024 (France) [JS 92]
  • Heritage & Accolades: A historic estate owned by the Lançon family, descendants of the 17th-century Barberini family. It represents the height of Southern Rhône white wine elegance.
  • Palate Profile: Fresh and floral. Notes of white flowers, honeyed peach, and a distinct stony minerality that provides a long, clean finish.
• Ridge Vineyards Grenache Blanc 2023 (California) [JD 94, JS 93, OB 93]
  • Heritage & Accolades: Ridge is a California pillar of authenticity. This Paso Robles expression is a critical darling, showcasing the incredible potential of New World Rhone varieties.
  • Palate Profile: Rich and nuanced. It offers a fuller body with layers of citrus zest, crisp pear, and a subtle creaminess that lingers beautifully on the palate.

Round 4: The Chardonnay Contrast

• Laroche Chablis St Martin 2023 (France)
  • Heritage & Accolades: Domain Laroche is synonymous with Chablis. The "St Martin" cuvée is an assembly of the finest plots on Kimmeridgian limestone.
  • Palate Profile: Pure and steely. This is unadulterated Chardonnay—high acidity, intense flinty minerals, and a bone-dry finish.
• Frank Family Carneros Chardonnay 2024 (California) [JS 92]
  • Heritage & Accolades: An American icon. Frank Family has perfected the Carneros style, creating one of the most sought-after Chardonnays in Napa Valley.
  • Palate Profile: Opulent and luxurious. A gorgeous bouquet of baked apple, toasted oak, and vanilla bean with a lush, buttery mouthfeel.

Round 5: The Pinot Noir Prestige

• Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune 2022 (France)
  • Heritage & Accolades: From one of the "Great Houses" of Burgundy. Drouhin is the standard-bearer for Burgundian grace and historical terroir.
  • Palate Profile: Ethereal and earthy. A masterclass in "Old World" Pinot, showing crunchy red fruit, forest floor, and silky tannins that feel like liquid velvet.
• Domaine Drouhin "Laurene" Estate Pinot Noir 2023 (Oregon) [JS 97, OB 96, WS 93]
  • Heritage & Accolades: The "French Soul, Oregon Soil" flagship. Named after the founder's daughter, this estate bottling holds a towering 97-point score.
  • Palate Profile: Densely packed and silky. Intense notes of black cherry and violet, with a structural backbone and a finish that defines Oregon's world-class status.

Round 6: The Merlot & Bordeaux Heritage

• Chateau Chantalouette Pomerol 2018 (France)
  • Heritage & Accolades: The second label of the historic Château de Sales. It offers the pedigree of Pomerol's iron-rich soils at an incredible value.
  • Palate Profile: Sophisticated and plummy. Expect a velvety texture with layers of dark berries, cocoa, and that classic Right Bank elegance.
• Jayson by Pahlmeyer Red Blend 2022 (California) [DM 93, WE 93]
  • Heritage & Accolades: Pahlmeyer is a Napa cult favorite. The "Jayson" series represents the same fastidious winemaking as the flagship, with an approachable, modern edge.
  • Palate Profile: Bold, dark-fruited, and decadently smooth. It delivers a powerhouse of blackcurrant and espresso notes with a long, polished finish.

Round 7: The Syrah vs. Shiraz Duel

• M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers 2021 (France) [JS 91, WA 90]
  • Heritage & Accolades: Michel Chapoutier is a pioneer of biodynamics and a giant in the Northern Rhône. This is Syrah in its most traditional, purist form.
  • Palate Profile: Savory and spicy. Expect cracked black pepper, smoked meat, and black olives wrapped in a framework of firm, food-friendly tannins.
• Torbreck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2022 (Australia) [WE 93, WA 91]
  • Heritage & Accolades: Torbreck is a Barossa icon. This wine pays homage to the "woodcutters" of the valley and is a consistent critical favorite for its immense power.
  • Palate Profile: Dark, brooding, and hedonistic. A cascade of blackberry, plum, and dark chocolate, delivered with a lush, full-bodied intensity.