YOU ARE INVITED TO BE PART OF THE DASH STORY
What is DASH Reserved?
Our Wine Club is a subscription-based membership whereby members receive a quarterly 6 bottle case wine selection specifically curated by Sommeiler Heather Hildebrand Baker.
Membership is auto-renewed every quarter and is offered at an introductory price of $295.00.
Why Join the Club?
Become part of the next chapter of DASH. This is a unique opportunity to join our vinous community from the beginning and unlock exclusive access to wines you may not readily find. With a range of benefits to surprise and delight and only a limited number of spaces available, this club is designed to honor our faithful supporters.
ABOUT THIS QUARTER'S WINE SELECTION
Giuliano Rosati Friuli Pinot Grigio
Varietal: Grenache
Appellation: Costes de Provence
Complexity: There's a lightness to the overall character-no strong tannins or intense flavors-just a gentle, soft experience.
Finish: Clean and slightly fruity with a hint if minerality, leaving a dry, pleasant aftertaste.
Color: Light, pale pink with a slightly peachy hue.
Nose: A fresh and aromatic nose with notes of ripe strawberries, watermelon, and citrus (like lemon zest or grapefruit). There's also often a subtle floral quality, like rose petals or white blossoms.
Acidity: The mouthfeel is a light and smooth, with a balance of acidity that doesn't overwhelm but keeps the wine lovely.
Palate: Crisp, light-bodied, and refreshing with flavors of fresh red berries (strawberries, raspberry) and citrus fruits. The wine tends to be dry with a nice balance if acidity, making it easy to drink and very refreshing, especially on warm days.
Impression: It's designed to be an easy-drinking light-hearted wine that evokes the feeling of summer, relaxation, and dun gatherings-perfect for poolside sipping or picnics. It's refreshing, fruit-forward, light-bodied: It's not heavy or overly complex, making it easy to drink. The bottle even floats!
Food Pairing: It's a crowd-pleaser, especially in the summer, and pairs well with light foods, like salads, seafood, or cheese.
Le Formanci Lugana Lombardy, 2023 Tomassi
Varietal: Turbiana grape variety
Appellation: Lugana region in the Lombardy area of northern Italy.
Complexity: The slight creaminess from lees aging adds depth. It's fresh yet layered with delicate nuances, making it both approachable and interesting.
Finish: The finish is clean, crisp, and refreshing, with a lingering note of citrus zest and a touch of almond. The wine leaves a pleasant, refreshing aftertaste that invites another sip.
Color: Bright, pale straw yellow with a hint of green, showcasing the wines youthful and fresh character.
Nose: Elegant and expressive, offering a bouquet of citrus fruits like lemon and grapefruit, along with delicate floral notes such as white flowers and acasia.
Acidity: Vibrant acidity, which adds to its refreshing nature and gives it a nice lift.
Palate: Le Formanci Lugana 2023 is a fresh and crisp, with a medium body and vibrant acidity that gives it an energetic and refreshing quality. The citrus fruit flavors are complemented by hints of green apple, pear, and a touch of peach, making the wine juicy yet balanced.
Impression: It's a great example of the high-quality Lugana wines produced in the Lombardy region, offering a balance between freshness, fruitiness, a subtle depth. A wonderful wine to enjoy during warm-weather occasions.
Food Pairing: It is very drinkable and ideal for enjoying on its own or pairing with a variety of foods, such as seafood, light pasta dishes, fresh salads, or even a mild cheese like mozzarella.
JJ Vincent Bourgogne Blanc
Varietal: Chardonnay Grape
Appellation: Burgundy region in France. Specifically, AOC
Complexity: Combines freshness, fruit, and subtle earthy and oak nuances to create wine that's rich but weel-balanced, showcasing the classic complexity of Burgundy Chardonnay.
Finish: The finish is clean, with lingering citrus and green apple notes, and a refreshing minerality that keeps it crisp and dry. There may also be a faint nuttiness or vanilla notes from the oak, if present.
Color: Pale golden yellow, showcasing its freshness and youth, with a slight hint of green.
Nose: The nose is fresh and inviting, with vibrant aromas of citrus fruits (lemon, lime) alongside ripe apples and pear. There's also a subtle hint of white flowers and a touch of toasted almonds pr hazelnuts, often a result of oak aging (if used). The minerality of the terroir comes through as well, giving the wine a slightly chalky or stony character.
Acidity: Vibrant acidity, which adds to its refreshing nature and gives it a nice lift.
Palate: On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing with lively acidity that adds a zesty edge. The fruit flavors (apple, citrus, and stone fruit) are balanced by a rich, creamy texture form the wines aging process, which may include partial fermentation or aging in oak barrels.
Impression: Well-balanced, medium-bodied white burgundy with good freshness and subtle complexity. It's approachable and easy to drink but offers enough depth and elegance to satisfy more discerning palates.
Food Pairing: It pairs well with seafood, poultry, or creamy dishes, and is perfect for enjoying on its own or with a meal.
Syrah Estrella Clone, Eberle
Varietal: Estrella Clone, a particular clone of Syrah known for producing wines with intense fruit and spice flavors.
Appellation: Paso Robles, California
Complexity: Subtle oak influences add layers of vanilla and cedar, while firm tannins and a touch of earthiness depth.
Finish: There is a nice balance between the fruit, acidity, and tannins, leaving a dry, slightly smoky aftertaste with a bit of warmth from alcohol.
Color: Deep, dark ruby red with a hint of purple, refelcting the wines youth and concentration.
Nose: The nose is expressive and complex, with a rich bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, and plums, along with a hint of spiced black pepper and a touch of smoked meat or grilled herbs. You might also find subtle floral notes like violets, along with earthy undertones of leather or tobacco, adding depth to the aromatic profile.
Acidity: Moderate to balanced. It provides enough freshness to support the rich, bold fruit and structure of the wine without overwhelming it.
Palate: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with a smooth texture and firm tannins that provide structure. The fruit is bold, featuring ripe black fruits like blackberry, plum, and currant, with a hint of dark chocolate or espresso that adds a layer of complexity.
Impression: Bold and well-structured wine that offers an excellent combination of ripe, fruit, spice and savory complexity. The wine's full body and firm tannins suggest that it could benefit from some aging, allowing the flavors to evolve even further, It's a fantastic wine for pairing with grilled meats, hearty stews, or dishes with smoky or spicy profile.
Food pairing: Grilled steaks, barbecue ribs, lamb chops, and spicy sausages. It also works well with rich stews and aged cheeses like the sharp cheddar or blue cheese. The wine's bold fruit and spice complement the smoky, savory flavors in these foods.
Coto De Imaz, Reserva Rioja
Vartietal: Tempranillo Grape
Appellation: Rioja region in Spain
Complexity: Its smooth tannins and bright acidity add structure and depth, while the long finish of fruit and spice further enhances its multifaceted profile.
Finish: The finish is long and smooth, with lingering notes of dark fruit, vanilla, and a touch of spice. The wine leaves a pleasant, dry finish.
Color: Deep ruby red with garnet gues, showing its aging potential.
Nose: The nose is rich and complex, with layers of ripe red fruits like cherries, raspberries, and plums, complemented by earthy and spicy notes. The influence of oak is present with aromas of vanilla, toasted oak, and a hint of tobacco. There are also subtle floral hints and a touch of leather, characteristic of well-aged Rioja wines.
Acidity: Wine is full-bodied and well-structured with smooth tannins and bright acidity.
Palate: The wine is light to medium-bodied with a smooth, balanced texture. It is typically dry with a refreshing mouthfeel. Crisp citrus flavors (lemon, lime), green apple, and sometimes pear or peach. There may be a subtle minerality that gives the wine a clean almost flinty character.
Impression: Well-balanced, elegant wine that offers a harmonious blend of fruit, oak, and spice. It shows the depth and complexity that comes from the aging process, with the potential for further development over time.
Food Pairing: Pairs well with roasted meats, grilled lamb, aged cheeses, and dishes with rich savory flavors.
Re Manfredi, 2018 Aglianico del Vulture
Varietal: Aglianico grape
Appellation: Grown in the volcanic soils of the Vulture area in southern Italy- specifically, in the region of Basilicata.
Complexity: Subtle hints of herbs, dried flowers, and a touch of vanilla from oak aging add further complexity.
Finish: The finish is ling and persistent, with lingering dark fruit flavors, a hint of tobacco, and a touch of spice. The tannins provide a dry, slightly astringent finish.
Color: Deep, dark ruby red, possibly with hints of garnet, showing the wines ageability and concentration.
Nose: The nose is intense and layered offering aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries, and plums. There are also notes of earth, leather, and tobacco, characteristic of Aglianico.
Acidity: Full-bodied and powerful, with firm tannins and a vibrant acidity that gives it excellent structure.
Palate: The fruit flavors (dark berries, cherries) are concentrated and balanced by earthy, savory notes like dried herbs, spice, and a touch of minerality from the volcanic soils. There is also a slight touch of oak, giving the wine flavors of toast and vanilla, which integrate well with the fruit and earthiness.
Impression: Bold, complex wine that beautifully showcases the power and elegance of the Aglianico grape. It combines dark fruit, earthy and herbal notes and structured tannins, offering a rich experience that improves with age.
Food Pairing: It's a great wine for pairing with grilled meats, game, aged cheese, and hearty dishes like braised meats or rich stews.
MEET THE SOMMELIER
Heather Hildebrand Baker
Heather has dedicated a better part of two decades bringing the best beverages to Hickory and surrounding small towns. As a Hickory native she has invested in supporting the local food and beverage community. Whether she teaches a wine class or curates a beverage list; she realizes the importance of accessibility to wonderful wines flavors of the world.
Heather became a member of the Guild of Master Sommeliers in 2005 it was just the beginning of a career swaddled in both rudimentary service and the most delicious drinks. Pouring well made liquid into the glasses of soon-to-be friends is, in her opinion, the best job in the world!
She is the owner of The Market Somm: Beverage Centric Events Co. and engages the wine and beverage community through education and creating experiences.