Chapters

By Forrest Preece, Master Scribe

C’est Magnifique! The Austin Chapter of the Knights of the Vine went on a virtual trip to France for a wine tasting with Nicole Rolet of Chêne Bleu on Sunday, September 13. Maitre de Partis Rose Betty Williams did a masterful job of arranging the tour. The selection of fine wines sampled during the excursion included Chêne Bleu’s 2019 Rosé, 2015 Aliot, 2012 Heloise, and 2012 Abelard. Thanks to the generosity of Twin Liquors, an Austin-based family business with 100 locations in Texas, co-owned by Master Knight David Jabour, participants in the tour were able to buy the four wines at a discount.

During the session, the Knights and Gentle Ladies among the thirty-plus couples who “took the journey” were treated to a wonderful expedition that covered the vineyards, winery, spectacular grounds, scenery and buildings of Chêne Bleu.

Ms. Rolet, who owns the property with her husband Xavier, described the history of this ancient estate and discussed how Chêne Bleu’s location in the foothills of Mount Ventoux and specifically, the climate, terroir, and altitude, contribute to Chêne Bleu’s production of Super Rhône wines. Chêne Bleu’s Chef provided recipes for dishes to complement the wines.

Blessed with a confluence of natural factors, Chêne Bleu has the benefit of an exceptional location, multifaceted geology, and a southern Rhône climate with soils more typical of the northern Rhône. Isolated and protected, high in a mountain saddle, Chêne Bleu has its provenance in a unique, four-corner borderland of the département of Vaucluse in the southern Rhône, where the boundaries of Gigondas, Côtes du Ventoux, Côtes du Rhône and Séguret come together. It enjoys an exceptional terroir due to this pristine, remote location and its complex geology, with many exposed strata of rock.

The environment brings about wines that have the aromas and flavors of the southern Rhône, the finesse of the northern Rhône and the aging potential of the region’s finest Appellations d’origine contrôlée (AOCs). Xavier and Nicole purchased the property in 1993, enchanted by the secluded location of the vineyard and the history of the ancient priory that had been built nearly 1,000 years ago.

All the Knights and Gentle Ladies who were relaxing in their homes during the event created menus of noshing delights to accompany the wines. As the online session was winding down, cries of “à bientôt!” and “à votre santé!” were heard.

Master de Partis Rose Betty Williams was the moderator in Austin during the tour and tasting.

Marisa & Jim Bushee Nicole Rolet of Chêne Bleu takes members on a virtual tour of their property

By Forrest Preece, Master Scribe

At 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, Knights and Gentle Ladies from the Austin Chapter gathered around their televisions and computer screens for an enjoyable tour through the Tamber Bey Vineyards, courtesy of owners Barry and Jennifer Waitte. Several other members from around the country participated in the virtual tasting including members from Lake Tahoe and Tennessee. Due to their close proximity, a crew from the San Francisco Chapter was able to attend in person on the winery’s scenic outdoor patio -- appropriately socially distanced of course!

During the 90-minute program, Barry presented five of Tamber Bey’s Vineyard Series wines for tasting as he regaled the group with stories of his prized horses and the winery’s history. The wines tasted were the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc from Lizzy’s Vineyard in Oakville, 2018 Sans Chêne Chardonnay from Yountville, 2019 Rosé from the Fore Family Vineyard, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Deux Chevaux Vineyard in Yountville, and the 2018 Bordeaux-style blend “Rabicano.” Then Jennifer and Barry took the guests on a virtual tour of the winery for an up-close look at the production facility and barrel rooms.

Before the event, Jennifer had provided suggestions for food and cheese pairings for the evening and we want to thank Tamber Bey who made five-bottle and three-bottle sets of wine available at especially discounted prices for those KOV members who were participating and shipped the sets in time for the tasting.

As the guests settled in for their virtual tasting and tour and guests could see Tamber Bey wine bottles were being opened across the Zoom screens, witty repartee and comparisons about life with COVID restrictions abounded.

Here are a few tasting notes about the wines.

The scene in the home of Maître de Partis Rose Betty Williams, showing many of the Knights and Gentle Ladies in their respective homes. In the background, John Mullen was pouring a glass

2018 Sans Chêne Chardonnay from Yountville - Made with robust stirring of lees and yeast. Overtones of apple, grapefruit, and pear, plus some dried apricot. No malolactic fermentation, no wood in the tasting notes. A big mouth feel. The acidity is excellent. A singular style.

2019 Rosé from the Fore Family Vineyard – This is a red wine “made the white way,” has no residual sugar. Has notes of honey and strawberry. They are buying more grapes to make rosé.

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Deux Chevaux Vineyard in Yountville - More of a New World style for its likability. They grow seven clones of cabernet. In this blend there are four of them. They pick the best clones for complexity. Strong tannic finish, but soft at the same time, plenty of black fruit. Can be laid down for 20 years or more.

2018 Sauvignon Blanc from Lizzy’s Vineyard in Oakville – Hints of tropical fruit, green apple, solid finish.

Three of the five wines from Tamber Bey that were tasted during the two-hour event

2018 Bordeaux-style blend “Rabicano”—Has all five of the Bordeaux varietals included and they integrate beautifully. Barry got some laughs when he said that Petit Verdot is the gravel on the road or the Darth Vader of the varietals. He noted that this wine will pair with a wide spectrum of foods – from Spanish and Italian to beef and even some fish.

The video tour of the beautiful and well-equipped vineyard was instructive and was a leisurely accompaniment to the viewers’ sampling and enjoyment of the wines. It

Barry Waitte was on screen discussing his wines while Master Scribe Forrest Preece took a photo and his wife, Gentle Lady Linda Ball, relaxed with a full glass and some cheese. was an entertaining time for all involved and it made for a pleasant afternoon. Everyone agreed that special thanks should go to Maître de Partis Rose Betty Williams for her excellent job of organizing the event.

Beloved by the Austin Chapter, Knight Richard “Marvin” Womack died peacefully with Eva, his wife of 63 years, at his side on September 19, 2020. He was born in New Orleans, the second son of David Ray Womack Sr. and Amoret Gates Womack. He was predeceased by his older brother, David Ray Womack, Jr., also of Austin. Marvin enjoyed fine wine and had been an active member of the chapter with his wife Eva since 2012. Marvin had a sharp wit, loved to engage in conversation, and will be missed by all.

Immediately prior to his retirement, Marvin was a lobbyist for Procter & Gamble in Washington D.C. Before that, he had served as a plant manager for Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati and St. Louis, as General Manager of the US Soap and Detergent business, and Vice President of Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchases and Quality.

When Marvin and Eva returned to Austin after he retired in 1995, they bought season tickets to the opera, ballet and symphony. Marvin was named to the Austin Symphony Orchestra board in 1997 and Eva joined the Austin Opera board in 2001. Marvin was also on the board of The Long Center, Austin’s premier venue for the performing arts, and they were involved with groups like the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Conspirare and Austin Shakespeare as well. In addition, they served on the University of Texas Butler School of Music’s Directors Council. His other affiliations included the English Speaking Union, Tuesday Club, and Headliners Club.