In recognition of Black History Month, we are featuring the wines of Maison Noir, the winery owned by famed Sommelier and entrepreneur André Hueston Mack. Mack was awarded the prestigious title of Best Young Sommelier in America by the highly regarded Chaine des Rotisseurs, the first African American to be so recognized. This led to the position of head Sommelier at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry and Per Se Restaurants. Mack is known as an iconoclast in the wine world. His trademark attitude and personal perspective is that wine is meant for everyone and should be right there on the table with the salt and pepper. The meal is enhanced by the wine rather than the wine being the star. Mack’s wines are unique and distinctive garage (micro-négociant) wines, sourcing the best fruit possible in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon and the Columbia Valley in Washington State to produce wines which show the individuality of their respective sites and terroirs. Mack also owns a graphic design firm, a wine shop and six restaurants in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, most notably & Sons, a ham bar featuring American charcuterie. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, on TV, has given TED talks, and lectures on entrepreneurship at business schools. He is the host on Bon Appétit's World of Wine Video Series. He is also the originator of the brand Vine & Supply, an endeavor that sources and supports growers and winemakers to produce bottles that are distinctive yet affordable. He is a man on the move! We are happy to be offering the following wines from Maison Noir:
In Sheep's Clothing Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Fruit is from Washington State, this wine delivers a ripeness of fruit flavors while preserving the acidity that gives the medium to full-bodied wine a sense of freshness. With layers of cassis, blueberries, and black cherries, this wine lends to a New World style of fruit with more of an Old World structure with a hint of wood smoke and dried herbs. $20.99
OPP Pinot Gris (Other People’s Pinot Gris) 2021
His first foray into Pinot Gris was with grapes from another grower therefore the name. It’s round and vibrant with lots of acid on the finish. His website says it’s “like Juggling Apples, Pears and Peaches while dancing to Pharell's "Happy" – enthralling, upbeat, fresh and deluxe. Need we say more? $22.99
Knock on Wood Chardonnay 2021
As with all of Mack's wines, this is a bit of a play on words as the wine sees no oak! Racy and lean on the palate with notes of honeydew melon, starfruit, pear, and salty minerals. This is an ideal pairing for raw seafood.
$23.99
Horseshoes & Handgrenades Red Blend
Horseshoes & Handgrenades is a fruit-driven, full-bodied complex red blend sourced from Southern Oregon and Red Mountain Washington. The rich, ripe, voluptuous fruit comes from Oregon Syrah with just enough Washington Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to give it complexity and structure. Think cherry pits and leather whips! $23.99