Anyone have any intel on Etienne? New project from Sasha Verhage, Adam Lee, and Moret-Brealynn.
Obviously, I know about it. 
A project seemingly a long time coming - and something that is both heartfelt (given all of our relationships with Philippe Cambie and his far too soon passing) and we think smart (Lirac has been gaining in notoriety with over 30 CdP makers now owning/producing from there). –
The website explains pretty well how this came to be - and our work with Jean-Francois and Simona Paly in Lirac. We are fervent believers in Lirac and its future (the next Gigondas?) and are doing everything we can to create amazing wines from there.
The production is tiny (only 95 cases of the Coronati bottling - less than 225 of the Essen bottling) but the aspirations and, we believe, the wines are superb.
Thanks, David, for asking.
Adam Lee
Etienne Winery (first time signing off with that label)
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Happy to answer any questions!
I am excited to make a wine in S. Rhone and elevate and celebrate this region. It has a ton of potential and upside.
Best,
Sasha
Etienne Winery
Opened an Essen last night. Very nice. Medium-bodied, ruby-colored, easy to drink. It did not eat up my palate as some CdPs do.
Would like be a wine that non-wine folks and wine folks both enjoy.
Looking forward to trying a Coronati soon.
Thank you, Mark. I am glad that you enjoyed it! It does drink well right off - but I had a bottle last night that had been open for 48 hours and it was deeper and richer then - so I think it has a good life in front of it as well.
Let us know what you think of the Coronati.
Cheers,
Adam Lee
Etienne Winery
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I had a little left over and tried it across two nights.
First, there was no oxidation, and all I did was recork.
Second, it did seem to put on some weight/structure. Very interesting!
I will post here when I open a Coronati!
Opened a Coronati tonight. Really great wine! More structured, darker fruits (blue black vs. predominately red), and some great l, subtle notes beyond the fruit (Ink? Tar? Bramble? Herbs?). Will be fun to see this age.
Years ago a read a review of a Zin that it compared it to a CdR. I actually get it now. And I pray that doesn’t turn away anybody who isn’t a Zin fan 