TWOSON LUNCHeons
Twice a year, Twoson organizes a wine luncheon for its club members, usually in the presence of one of our winemaker partners.
The next Twoson lunch will take place in the fall of 2026. The exact date will be announced in due course.
The next Twoson lunch will take place in the fall of 2026. The exact date will be announced in due course.
RECAP OF THE spring 2026 TWOSON LUNCHEON
Spring lunch came significantly earlier than usual, which was somewhat unfortunate given that many members were away on vacation during the ongoing winter break. However, the reason for bringing it forward was, literally speaking, very good, namely a visit from the living legend Bo Barrett from the equally legendary and mythical Chateau Montelena. That's right, Chateau Montelena, which won The Judgment of Paris in 1976, ahead of many prestigious names from France, and put Napa Valley on the wine world map. Many have probably seen the film Bottle Shock starring Alan Rickman, Hollywood's attempt to put images and sound to this historic event, and yes, Bo Barrett is in the film! Or rather, he is portrayed in the film (by Chris Pine).
This walking legend was with us at Kasten, talking about Chateau Montelena, both the history of the estate and its present day. He also presented several wines. Above all, the 2018 Chardonnay, which is this year's “quarter two wine” and will be sent out to members in May/June. An absolutely magnificent, perfectly crafted wine with all the attributes of Chardonnay in just the right place. Loads of immediate fruit, impressive balance, and a refreshing freshness that lifts the wine where age tends to weigh down the experience. Several members were heard murmuring famous appellations in Burgundy as they closed their eyes and let themselves be seduced by this nectar. Fantastic to drink now, or in many years to come. Perfect with a fine fish dish based on butter and care, or perhaps a chicken dish free from overly strong seasoning.
Bo also presented a couple of the estate's top Cabernets, “Estate Cabernet,” not to be confused with the ‘regular’ Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon (an excellent wine, which costs slightly less than “Estate”). We tasted the 2009 and 2019 vintages, and everyone seemed to agree that reds from Napa don't get much better than this. Well-balanced fruit bombs with a classic European backbone and a length as long as Marco Polo's Silk Road. Thanks to our collaboration with the importer Terrific Wines, members were offered the opportunity to purchase both vintages of “Estate Cabernet” at a discounted price – an offer that many jumped at.
This walking legend was with us at Kasten, talking about Chateau Montelena, both the history of the estate and its present day. He also presented several wines. Above all, the 2018 Chardonnay, which is this year's “quarter two wine” and will be sent out to members in May/June. An absolutely magnificent, perfectly crafted wine with all the attributes of Chardonnay in just the right place. Loads of immediate fruit, impressive balance, and a refreshing freshness that lifts the wine where age tends to weigh down the experience. Several members were heard murmuring famous appellations in Burgundy as they closed their eyes and let themselves be seduced by this nectar. Fantastic to drink now, or in many years to come. Perfect with a fine fish dish based on butter and care, or perhaps a chicken dish free from overly strong seasoning.
Bo also presented a couple of the estate's top Cabernets, “Estate Cabernet,” not to be confused with the ‘regular’ Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon (an excellent wine, which costs slightly less than “Estate”). We tasted the 2009 and 2019 vintages, and everyone seemed to agree that reds from Napa don't get much better than this. Well-balanced fruit bombs with a classic European backbone and a length as long as Marco Polo's Silk Road. Thanks to our collaboration with the importer Terrific Wines, members were offered the opportunity to purchase both vintages of “Estate Cabernet” at a discounted price – an offer that many jumped at.
recap of the fall 2025 Twoson luncheon
Lunch began with a tasting of the specially made magnum of Lyliale, from the fine small producer Waris Hubert in Avize, which will be delivered to the members towards the end of the year. A fresh and elegant Blanc de Blancs zero dosage with minerality and all the delights we can expect to find in a really good BdB from, in this case, the villages of Avize, Ogier, and Cramant. Good to drink now but will definitely benefit from a few years of aging. Will probably keep for half an eternity.
We also recounted Twoson's visit to Giorgio Rivetti and his Spinetta earlier this year. A visit that resulted in four new wines from Spinetta, wines that members can look forward to receiving in the coming years. The first of the four wines resulting from the latest visit was a very expressive 2018 Vermentino from Rivetti's vineyards in Tuscany: immediately charming, fruit-dense and well-fed with silky roundness, all rigged in a neat, long acid structure. A bold, fantastic wine made from a neglected grape, just the kind of wine we love to find!
Last but not least, members had the opportunity to taste the last red wine of the year, an incredibly elegant and well-crafted Burgundy: 2023 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Derrière Chez Edouard from the skilled Roux brothers. Young, stylish, spicy, and exclusive from a super small, high-class vineyard (0.18 ha) in Côte de Beaune.
The gastronomic accompaniment to these exceptional wines consisted of small, delicate bouchées and delicious Basque ibaïama ham, followed by a fresh salmon tartare with smoked trout roe and crispy bread. Then a well-aged veal entrecôte with chanterelle sauce and croquettes, and finally a small, exquisite cheese platter.
Several members asked for recommendations on other full-bodied wines made from the Vermentino grape.
While it is easy to find good, pleasant Vermentino wines, it is not so easy to find what we would call top wines. However, we do have a couple of recommendations, all from Corsica, which, with the exception of the wine that members will soon receive, is where the best Vermentino wines are made:
Domaine Sant’Armettu “Burghese Blanc” 2020, no. 57843, SEK 849, from renowned producer Sant’Armettu in the Sartène appellation, an elegant and refined wine (80% Vermentino).
Clos Santini Patrimonio Vieille Vigne Blanc 2021, no. 58908, SEK 369, from the “red wine appellation” Patrimonio, a powerful and distinctly oaky white wine with fine acidity that can handle strong food, a different style from both the wine above and below.
Domaine Comte Peraldi Blanc 2022, no. 53453, SEK 329, from Corsica's perhaps most famous and possibly also best producer, Comte Peraldi, in the Ajaccio appellation, just outside the island's capital of the same name. A very elegant and well-made wine in perfect balance, to drink now or save for a few years, drink with good fish or perhaps even better seafood.
We also recounted Twoson's visit to Giorgio Rivetti and his Spinetta earlier this year. A visit that resulted in four new wines from Spinetta, wines that members can look forward to receiving in the coming years. The first of the four wines resulting from the latest visit was a very expressive 2018 Vermentino from Rivetti's vineyards in Tuscany: immediately charming, fruit-dense and well-fed with silky roundness, all rigged in a neat, long acid structure. A bold, fantastic wine made from a neglected grape, just the kind of wine we love to find!
Last but not least, members had the opportunity to taste the last red wine of the year, an incredibly elegant and well-crafted Burgundy: 2023 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Derrière Chez Edouard from the skilled Roux brothers. Young, stylish, spicy, and exclusive from a super small, high-class vineyard (0.18 ha) in Côte de Beaune.
The gastronomic accompaniment to these exceptional wines consisted of small, delicate bouchées and delicious Basque ibaïama ham, followed by a fresh salmon tartare with smoked trout roe and crispy bread. Then a well-aged veal entrecôte with chanterelle sauce and croquettes, and finally a small, exquisite cheese platter.
Several members asked for recommendations on other full-bodied wines made from the Vermentino grape.
While it is easy to find good, pleasant Vermentino wines, it is not so easy to find what we would call top wines. However, we do have a couple of recommendations, all from Corsica, which, with the exception of the wine that members will soon receive, is where the best Vermentino wines are made:
Domaine Sant’Armettu “Burghese Blanc” 2020, no. 57843, SEK 849, from renowned producer Sant’Armettu in the Sartène appellation, an elegant and refined wine (80% Vermentino).
Clos Santini Patrimonio Vieille Vigne Blanc 2021, no. 58908, SEK 369, from the “red wine appellation” Patrimonio, a powerful and distinctly oaky white wine with fine acidity that can handle strong food, a different style from both the wine above and below.
Domaine Comte Peraldi Blanc 2022, no. 53453, SEK 329, from Corsica's perhaps most famous and possibly also best producer, Comte Peraldi, in the Ajaccio appellation, just outside the island's capital of the same name. A very elegant and well-made wine in perfect balance, to drink now or save for a few years, drink with good fish or perhaps even better seafood.