wines evaluated last month: 274 • rejected: 243 • approved: 44 • … · 2017. 6. 17. ·...

Wines evaluated last month: 274 • Rejected: 243 • Approved: 44 • Selected: 12 FEBRUARY 2015

ello, McFly? Is anyone inthere? I was thinkingabout people who wantto get into the winerybusiness. Noticed I said

winery business. I love the winebusiness….the winery business isdifferent. I came to this epiphanytoday when tasting wine. I tastedso much bad wine today that Istarted to wonder how and whythis stuff gets into the bottle…andthis is not the first time I have hadthis thought. And the answer isthe same each time. If they growthem, they are going to pickthem, if they pick them they aregoing to crush them, if they crushthem, they will ferment them,and if they ferment them, theywill bottle them. . . good orbad...and try to sell them...goodor bad. Thank goodness for Wineof the Month Club.

Paul KalemkiarianOwner/Cellarmaster

H

What’s What’s NewNew This Month? This Month?What’s What’s NewNew This Month? This Month?hat just happened? Did Christmas justcome and go? Did I miss something? I noticed we had a surge in sales volume and the activity around here

was wild, but it all seems a blur now and I reallyfeel like I missed it. Oh, don’t worry; I had mypulse on sales and inventory. Heck, I can watchorders live on my phone…(I hate that BTW). No,I mean did I miss the season? Taking my focus offbusiness, I was seeking to give people in my lifesomething to think about, something to takewith them after spending time with me at a party or Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And Isettled on two quotes….the first time I deliveredthis speech I was at a neighborhood Christmasdinner….no one knew what I was doing when Iasked for their attention…even my wife looked atme as I stood up…”what is he up to now?” So Iread two quotes…one from Bill Murray inScrooged and the other from Linus in A CharlieBrown Christmas. Bill Murray comes to the realization that Christmas is not a fraud and thatgood will toward men is actually a real and gooddisposition to take on in life…and that this goodwill that occurs on Christmas is kind of a miraclebecause it happens each year. Linus, on the otherhand, explains to Charlie Brown why when herecites his quote. I encourage you all to seekthese quotes and tie them together….it helpedme NOT miss the season.

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What’s new 2Classic Series: Gravelly Ford Cabernet Sauvignon 3Classic Series: Rai Pinot Gris 4Classic Series: Red Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 5Classic Series: Silver Buckle Chardonnay 6Classic Series Earlier Selections 7Cellar Notes 8Vintners Series: Accoutre Malbec 9Vintners Series: Villa Maria Dry Reisling 10Vintners Series: Palazzo Sangiovese 11Vintners Series: Spanish Eye Verdejo 12Vintners Series Earlier Selections 13

Facebook 14Limited Series: Grand Verdus Bordeaux 15Limited Series: Alpataco Pinot Noir 16Limited Series: Villiera Sauvignon Blanc 17Limited Series: Yorkshire Sauvignon Blanc 18Limited Series Earlier Selections 19For Members Only 20Gifts & More 21Recipe: Pan Seared Trout 22Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore 22Tasting Notes 23The Cork Board 24

I N S I D E T H E T A S T I N G R O O M T H I S M O N T H

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ITEM #: C0215R1DC

Retail Price: $18.99/each

Member Price: $10.98/each

Reorder Price: $7.99/each

58% Discount

CabernetSauvignon(Kab air NAY

Soo ving YAHN)

2012

Gravelly FordCentral Valley, California

Color:Dark purple

Nose:Earth, cherry and

vanilla

Palate:Ripe berry and plum

Finish:Concentrated, tannicwith plummy fruit

Alcohol:13.5%

Drink now through 2017

WOMC RATING95 Points

NEW!NEW! View This Tasting VideoView This Tasting Video

partner for many of theworld's leading beveragealcohol companies and brandowners. Today, O'NeillVintners has grown tobecome the 8th largest U.S. winery and has earned a reputation as one of the premier custom wine producers in California.

Winemaker, Mark Rasmussen,joined O'Neill after 12 yearswith Golden State Vintners.He began his winemaking

career in 1977with PacificLand andViticulture andlater moved toSebastiani in1982, where he becameDirector ofWinemaking .He holds an

undergraduate degree fromUC Berkeley and a graduatedegree in Food Science/Enology from Fresno StateUniversity.

This Gravelly Ford CabernetSauvignon comes from thebest part of the vineyard andrepresents an incrediblevalue. It is a pure, honestand unadorned, genuinereflection of the vineyard.From its rich earthiness to itsbold, robust flavors, thiswine speaks authentically ofthe land, the grapes and the passion for the craft and tradition of artisan winemaking. A must havewith smoked baby back ribsin a Jack Daniels sauce or aprime fillet in a creamymixed peppercorn saucewith a splash of Cognac.

rior to founding O'NeillVintners & Distillers,Jeff O'Neill was

President and Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Golden StateVintners (GSV) from 1986 to 2004. He is a third generation member of aCalifornia winemaking familywith roots dating back to1934. Under his direction,GSV expanded from a singlewinery location in the CentralValley into a vertically-integrated grower, producerand bottler ofwine and wine-related prod-ucts throughoutCalifornia.

GSV operatedseven produc-tion facilitiesac ross thestate, ownedover 10,000 acres of premiervineyards and shipped bulkwine and case goods tomore than 30 countriesaround the world. At thetime of the company's salein 2004, Golden StateVintners was the fifth largestwinery in the US with salesover $100 million and theleading custom wine produc-er serving the industry.O'Neill is a graduate from theUniversity of the PacificSchool of Business.

Gravelly Ford Ranch isapproximately 960 acresadjoining the San JoaquinRiver in Madera County,Fresno and is owned byO'Neill Vintners. From grapesupply through wine processing to bottling services, O'Neill is recognizedas the preferred outsourcing

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Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

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ITEM #: C0215W1IC




58% Discount

Pinot Gris(Peeno Gree)

2013

Rai Santiago, Chile

Color:Pale yellow

Nose:Herbal with hints of

white peachPalate:

Clean and ripe withswashes of grapefruit

Finish:Long and crisp withpeach and lime

Alcohol:13%




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literally means Copper Staror Copper Shine, and is a representation to the Nativetribes of the cosmic forces ofthe Mountains, reflected onthe red color of early dawn,just before the sun rises. This copper-colored light conferred to the ancient people, peace of mind andharmony with the environ-ment, at the beginning of a day of arduous labor in the farms.

The grapes were handpickedand fermentedin chilled stain-less steel tanks toretain their shyfruit and crispacids. It wasracked andallowed to settlewith no malolacticf e rm e n t a t i o n ,which would havelowered the acidsand made thewine a bit flabby.

Our selection features anaroma of tropical fruits, freshherbs and citrus. Its palateoffers light and crisp melonflavors balanced with freshacidity. Pinot Gris is alsoknown as Pinot Grigio. It is akind of chameleon grape inthat it can take on very different characteristicsdepending on where it’sgrown. We’ve tasted veryfew from Chile, but this oneknocked us out.

Excellent as an appetizer, it is also a good companionof salads, soups, freshseafood and fish. It’s a great partner of sushi and sashimi cuts, and any vegetarian plate.

h e n t h eConquistadoresdiscovered Chile

in 1536, travelling from thedry, sterile and inclementnorthern desert of Atacama,they found a vast land ofseveral immaculate and fer-tile valleys, watered by pris-tine creeks and rivers cas-cading from the meltingsnows of the Andes. Smallcommunities of natives livedin, peacefully cultivating theland and fishing on theshores of the Pacific Ocean.

Among their manyinnovations, theSpanish conquista-dores broughtvines to this newland.

The Spaniards and the nativescultivated manyv ineya rds i n different valleys.Each reg ionimparted to thewine a unique character and taste. There was animportant difference in climates among valleys evenwhen in close proximity.

Five centuries ago, in theheart of the AndesMountains, flourished theInca Empire before thearrival of the SpanishConquistadores. From theheart of the empire, the capital city of Cusco, the Inca ruled the west coast ofSouth America, from thenorthernmost region ofEcuador to the southernmostregion of Chile.

Rai is made by Antawara,one of Chile’s most progres-sive wineries. Antawara

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50% Discount

CabernetSauvignon(Kab air NAY

Soo ving YAHN)

2013

RedTreeCalifornia

Color:Dark magenta

Nose:Earth, cocoa, marzipan

and vanilla

Palate:Ripe berry and plum

Finish:Concentrated, rich with

a touch of anise

Alcohol:13.6%




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Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

Cecchetti would not havedone this well in this short aperiod time.

Cabernet Sauvignon is themost popular red grape inthe world bar none. It is literally grown in every wineproducing country, thoughnot with particular success.Napa and Sonoma countieshave done particularly well,as have parts of Bordeaux,Italy and Australia, but trulygreat Cabernet is still a rare

find. Californiaprobably doesbetter moreoften than anyother area. The climate is generally quitefavorable andon certain soilsit excels evenmore.

One sip of this blockbusterCabernet and you’ll be saying what we said, Napawho? It’s one of those wines that refuses to beswallowed. Why would you?The up front pure black cherry and earthy, spicy flavors just grab on andwon’t let go, even afteryou’ve tried to swallowthem. Talk about a finish! It’sthe kind of wine that makesyou want to put the glassdown, jump in your car andget one of those beautifullyaged prime rib eyes to char over mesquite or even a chicken cacciatore or marinated skirt steak withpeppers and onions. Whocares if it’s 2:00 in the afternoon?

ith more than 27years experiencegrowing wine

brands, Roy Cecchetti knowswhat it takes to successfullybring to market new andinnovative brands. Whenlaunching Cecchetti WineCompany, Roy enlisted BobBroman, who managedwinemaking duties for himat Cecchetti Sebastiani Cellar.This experience allowed Bobto travel across California'svast wine regions nurturingg r o w e r relationships toensure qualityfruit sources.

Bob's commit-ment to detailcreates thebackbone forblending stylis-tic wines thatare approachable, consis-tent, a good value, and canbe enjoyed any day of theweek. Together Roy and Bob strive to show wine consumers that good winedoes not always come with ahefty price tag.

Red Tree is a product ofCecchetti Wine Company,which was launched by wineindustry veteran RoyCecchetti and his wifeRachael in 2007. The company strives to produceconsistent and approachablewines of excellent valuefrom California. It’s amazingto note that this is a relatively new venture, but founded by a veteran,someone who knows how togive people what they want.Someone other than Roy

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63% Discount

Chardonnay(SHAR doe nay)

2012

Silver BuckleLodi, California

Color:Pale gold

Nose:Fresh apple and vanilla

Palate:Rich pineapple with

a hint of spice

Finish:Apple and vanilla

Alcohol:13.5%




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Many of the Rutherford WineCompany family vineyardswere originally Spanish cattle "rancheros" in the1800s. Neighbors continueto raise cattle that are fed onharvested cover crops and in return, they supplyRutherford with Nature'sfinest fertilizer! They alsoshare a rich cultural heritage and a commitmentto natural, earth-friendlypractices.

Winemaker, Steve Rued,believes that winemakingbegins in the vineyard; carefully matching the site

and varietalthen selectingand harvestingfruit at just theright moment.Flavors may be s l i gh t l ym o d i f i e dthrough wine-making tech-niques, but awine's unique

flavor and essential characterdevelop on the vine.

As active members of theCentral Coast Vineyard Team, they are establishingand defining sustainableguidelines and educating thelarger grower community to help keep the land productive, profitable andvital for many years.

This Chardonnay is from acooler region of Lodi, withlonger hang time for juicy,concentrated fruit character-istics. It has straw-gold colorwith bright aromas and flavors of fresh tropical fruits.For delicious complexity witha bit of vanilla and spice, thewine was aged for a shorttime in custom toastedAmerican oak. This goesgreat with smoked scallopsin an herb aioli.

utherford WineCompany WineryOperations are a

Ce r t i f i ed Ca l i fo rn i aSustainable Winegrowing, apartnership between theWine Institute & TheCalifornia Association ofW ineg rape G rowers .Sustainability ensures long-term health of the entireecological system by promoting and maintainingthe biodiversity of plants andanimals, conservation of natural resources and supporting the viability ofthe agricultural communityfor generationsto come.

Their ecologicalefforts includeallowing areaso f l a n d t oremain in a natural, pristinestate to supporti n d i g e n o u sp lan t andwildlife. In thevineyards they minimize theuse of synthetic substancesby substituting or augment-ing them with age-old methods such as natural predation to help controlinsects and animals that areharmful to the vines. Thesepractices help to limit environmental impact ,increase soil and plant healthand vigor, and result in high-er quality grapes.

Natural resources and energyconservation are served bywater reclamation and reuse.Solar power contributes tolower energy use, improvedair quality and a smaller carbon footprint. One of their family's refrigerationsystems, assembled andinstalled in-house, consistsof nearly 5000 solar panelsthat produce close to one million watts of electrical power.

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CLASSIC SER

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Reg Reorder CaseItem # Wine Name Retail Price Price Price

C1214R1IS - Tempranillo, 2012. Gabarda $18.99 $7.99 $95.88“Berry and cherry with soft tannins”

C1214R2DC – Syrah, 2013. Oak Grove $15.99 $7.99 $95.88“Very clean blueberry and soft tannins”

*Featured in the California Wine Series

C1214W1IS – Airen, 2013. Raices $17.99 $6.99 $83.88“Asian pear and lychee”

C1214W2DC – Chardonnay, 2012. Vegan $15.99 $6.99 $83.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of honey”


C0115R1IA - Malbec, 2014 Gaucho $17.99 $7.99 $95.88“Lots of blackberry mixed with leather and earth”

C0115R2DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. $14.99 $6.99 $83.88Riven Rock “Cherry with hints of mint and spice”


C0115W1DC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2013. MSH $16.99 $7.99 $95.88“Fresh herbs and lime”

C0115W2DC - Chenin Viognier, Robert Pepi $15.99 $6.99 $83.88“Fresh melon, pear and spice”

C0215R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012. $18.99 $7.99 $95.88Gravelly Ford “Concentrated, tannic with plummy fruit”


C0215R2DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. $15.99 $7.99 $95.88Red Tree “Concentrated, rich with a touch of anise”


C0215W1IC - Pinot Gris, 2013. Rai $17.99 $6.99 $83.88“Long and crisp with peach and lime”

C0215W2DC - Chardonnay, 2012. $18.99 $6.99 $83.88Silver Buckle “Apple and vanilla”

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CELLAR NOTES

Cellar Notes: A report on how previous selections are faring with age.Obtained from actual tastings of wines under optimal conditions.

Classic Series:

February 2013:Touriga, 2011. Encostas. Still going strong.Pinot Grigio, 2011. Sycamore Lane. Ready.Merlot, 2009. Twin Bells. Perfect now.Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. Open Range. At its best.

February 2014:Reserve Red, 2011. Pat Paulsen. Still great.Chardonnay, 2011. Backstory. Perfect now.Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012. Happy Camper. Still going.Chardonnay, 2012. Don Silvestre. Drink.

Vintners Series:

February 2013:Sangiovese, 2010. Homestead. Drink or hold.Viognier, 2010. Three Coins. Drink up.Merlot, 2010. Corinto. Still great.Chardonnay, 2011. Elsa Bianchi. Drink up.

February 2014:Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009. The Table. Drink or hold.Chardonnay, 2013. Apatlagua. Drink or hold.Tannat, 2011. Marichal. Still going or hold.Chardonnay, 2012. Casarena 505. Ready.

Limited Series:

February 2013:Tempranillo, 2011. Mureda. Drink or hold.Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. Crusted Pie. Still great.Grillo, 2010. Feudi d'Elimi. Drink up.Vermintino/Chardonnay, 2011. Papillon. Drink up.

February 2014:

Chianti (Sangiovese), 2012. La Stricsia. Still awesome.Montepulciano D'Abruzzo. 2012. Montupoli. Drink or hold.Chardonnay, 2010. Laurier. Ready now.Chardonnay, 2012. Litu. Drink or hold.

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seeds rest in tanks for up to two weeks. This adds complexity, color andstrength. A gentle pneumaticpressing is then done toextract the last concentratedtannins and flavors. Fromthere it is taken to barrelbefore being bottled.

Accoutre is an Americancompany with roots and contacts in France wherethey source lesser known

areas to bringexcep t i ona lquality andvalue to thetable. It istheir exactingattention todeta i l andmaking surethat they areworking withthe best sup-pliers which

accounts for their continuingsuccess.

The appellation here, Vin de Pays d’Oc, is basically a country French wine designation. Most are fairlysimple, but good values.However, a few producers,like Accoutre, search out thebetter areas in the appella-tion and work exclusivelywith those. It takes moretime and may cost a littlemore than the ordinarywines, but the difference isworth it. This one shows asthe dense blackberry andearthy nose mixed withplum and tobacco are heartyenough for a grand filletmignon with a red winereduction or short ribsbraised in Malbec.

he Malbec grapevariety was discov-ered in the 16th

century in the South-West of France. It has been traditionally cultivated in theQuercy region where it isknown for its ability to make concentrated anddeeply colored red wines.Introduced to Argentina bythe French agronomist,Michel Pouget in 1868, it has found this country’si n c r e d i b l e climatic condi-tions a perfectmatch . We can also findMalbec in Chili,C a l i f o r n i a ,A u s t r a l i a , New Zealandand Italy. All o f t h e s e countries aregiving this grape variety aworld renowned reputation.

In France, Malbec is the principal grape variety of theCahors and we can find it inmany of the vineyards inSouth Western France. In theLanguedoc region, Malbecwas originally planted 30years ago near the Pyreneanfoothills of the region ofLimoux. Here it has found climatic conditions close toits original area. Thanks to its international reputation,Malbec is now planted inwarmer areas of this region.

In both areas, the grapes areharvested at their optimumripeness and brought to the cellar where they arestemmed and fermented atcooler temperatures. Afterfermentation, the juice and

T

ITEM #: V0215R1IF




35% Discount

Malbec(MAL beck)

2013

Accoutre Vin de Pays d’Oc, France

Color:Dark purple

Nose:Tobacco, blackberry

and plum

Palate:Leather and earthmixed with lots of

blackberry

Finish:Concentrated, tannicwith blackberry fruit

Alcohol:12%

Drink nowthrough 2018



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Zealand wine company toinitiate payment for grapesbased on quality rather thana flat contract price. He wasone of the first wine busi-ness owners in New Zealandto employ professional viticulturists, recognizing theimportance viticulture playsin the quality of the wine.

In 2001, Villa Maria was thefirst major wine company in New Zealand to declarethat the winery would

become a “cork-free zone”, sea l i ng a l lwines from the2002 vintageonwards with ascrew cap. Itwas a boldmove for thecompany whotook the risk oflosing overseasbusiness bydeclining to fill

orders from companies whorequested wines sealedunder cork. For George itcame down to quality, some-thing he has never beenwilling to compromise on.

The grapes for this winewere harvested in the cool ofthe morning then gentlypressed. The resulting juicewas allowed to naturally settle before fermentationfor a slightly off-dry styledwine which was then blended and lightly finedprior to bottling. This is aclassic Riesling in the dryer,Alsace style offering lovelystone fruit and citrus zest. Itcan only get better with age and a spicy Cioppino tocomplement.

eorge Fistonich’sinterest in wine-making started

when New Zealand’s wineindustry was virtually non-existent. Passionate from ayoung age, wine was a central part of his upbring-ing. He grew up in an environment with wine andalways enjoyed the taste ofit. Being Croatian makingwine was in the blood.

From an early age Georgeh ad s t r o n gambitions ofbecoming awinemaker buthis father hadother ideas.F i s t o n i c h ’ s parents immi-grated to NewZealand in thelate 1920s andfollowing in thetradition ofCroatian house-holds, where the eldest sontakes up a profession andthe second a trade, he completed an apprenticeshipin carpentry and joinery.

However, George knew hedidn’t want to be a builder.In 1961, at just 21 years ofage, he leased five acres ofland from his father inMangere, Auckland and withjust an acre of vines he started making wine underthe name Villa Maria.

From early on, Georgefocused on the importance of regional differences inrelation to grape quality andwine styles. He pioneeredthe use of contract growersand led Villa Maria tobecome the first New

G

ITEM #: V0215W1IZ




37% Discount

Riesling(REES ling)

2010

Villa MariaAukland, New Zealand

Color:Golden Straw

Nose:White peach

Palate:Lovely peach, lemonpeel and nectarine

Finish:Crisp and clean with apeach jam component

Alcohol:12.5%




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and Ionian seas, which surround this long peninsulaon three sides. These climatic conditions make the Apulian vineyards prodigiously prolific.

The grape var iet ies,Negroamaro, Primitivo andSangiovese, are crushed separately in stainless steeltanks before they make theblend and then the finishedwine is matured in oak forsix months. These grapesadd their own special

character tothe blend aswell as beingspecial grapesin their ownright.

Negroamaro isthe workhorseg r a p e o fApu l i a . I t literally meansblack in twol a n g u a g e s ;

Negro in Latin and Maru inGreek. It is named this waybecause of its deep color andit was often used secretly inwines from the North thatcouldn’t get good color inweak vintages. It is now vilified from lower yieldswhich produce a deeply colored and flavorful wine.

Primitivo was thought to beindigenous to Sicily, but we have found out it is atransplant from Croatia. It isalso known in California as Zinfandel and like inCalifornia it produces, lovely,scented and powerful wine.Finally, Chianti’s own majestic grape, Sangiovese,adds the spice and nuancethat it does so well. Greatwith the classic porchettadish of the region.

t is common knowledgethat today there aremany wineries located

around the world capable ofproducing high qualitywines. So while there is agood selection of expensivewines available, the highestdemand is actually for quality wines at reasonableprices. That is the segment ofthe industry that the ownersof Palazzo are focused upon.

Takis Soldatos and MarioCalzolari, have held leadingp o s i t i o n swithin thewine industryfor the past 20years. Workingtogether theyhave created a new winecompany withproduction inv a r i o u sregions ofItaly. In addi-t ion, theirinternational team of wine-makers is constantly travel-ling the globe, collaboratingwith local producers and creating other alluring andmodern wines.

Our selection comes fromthe Southeastern most statein Italy. Apulia or Pulia, Italy’sheel has seen a shift awayfrom producing a great volume of unremarkablewine, towards smaller quantities of concentratedwines of great character. Theregion has a long history ofco-operative winemaking,which in recent years hasbeen instrumental in moving towards premiumwines. Despite its sunny,southern latitude, the Apuliacountryside is surprisinglytempered, thanks to the mit-igating effect of the Adriatic

I

ITEM #: V0215R2II




41% Discount

Sangiovese(Sangio VESAY)

2011

PalazzoPuglia, Italy

Color:Pale Magenta

Nose:Spice, plum and cherry

Palate:Warm and generouscherry and plum

Finish:Very clean with hints

spice and earth

Alcohol:12.5%




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Their wines are produced inmodern wineries with thelatest technology. Galicianwine is becoming popular inSpain, and is now ready totake hold in the UnitedStates. They are launchingtheir “easy to drink-easy tobuy” line of wines calledSpanish Eye. Their goal is totake over the market of theinterested wine drinker byoffering quality and flavor tothose who look for more in awine. All of this together in one bottle is a line of

wines thatoffers goodflavor andq u a l i t y ,S p a n i s h varietals andmost impor-tant, a greatprice. Theyseem to haves u c c e e d e d

beyond their expectations.

Verdejo is a high qualitynative Spanish grape, capable of producing veryaromatic and fruity wines. Itis a versatile grape, showinglively, complex, seductiveflavors with enticing melon, peach and a slightlynutty edge.

It is named after the wordverde, which means green inSpanish as its berries have agreenish color. Verdejo is thefifth most planted whitevarietal in Spain and is quickly growing in popularityin Spain and elsewhere. It isa universal wine capable ofmatching anything fromscallops to sweetbreads.

panish Eye is part ofVision Brands, a familybusiness founded by

two cousins that are committed to bringing thegrapes of Galicia which is apart of Spain that has beenmaking fine wine for morethan 200 years and bringingit to the rest of the world.

Modesto Comesaña Pedridoand Anthony Exposito wereboth born in Galicia, inNorthwest Spain. They bothhave extensive experience inthe Food &B e v e r a g ebusinesses inCalifornia andSpain. Theya r e n o w welcoming anew partner,Luis Carreras,who with hisSpanish back-ground andhis more than 40 years ofexperience in the AccountingIndustry, joins the companyto ensure it can grow andexpand. These three partnersshare the same goal: bring-ing the products and servicesthey love from Galicia, andtheir careful selection of varietals and alternativesfrom more regions of Spain.

Their ancestors started working these vineyards inthe late eighteenth century,and Modesto, Luis and Tony’scompany are now importingto the US the results of thathard work. Vision Brandswas founded in February of2011 and is focused onopening new markets forSpanish wines.

S

ITEM #: V0215W2IS




37% Discount

Verdejo(Vare DAY ho)

2014

Spanish Eye Galica, Spain

Color:Brilliant yellow

Nose:White peach, lime

Palate:Lovely peach, lemonpeel and nectarine

Finish:Crisp and clean with

a white peach component

Alcohol:12%




Earlier VINTNERS SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!


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V1214R1IF – Alicante Bouschet, 2013. paf $18.99 $12.99 $155.88“Pure berry and spice”

V1214W1IC – Pinot Gris, 2013. Antawara $17.99 $11.99 $143.88“Clean and ripe with swashes of grapefruit”

V1214R2DC – Petite Sirah. 2009. $22.99 $12.99 $155.88Inheritance “Blackberry and earth mixed with leather”


V1214W2DC – Sauvignon Blanc, 2012. $19.99 $11.99 $143.88Martin Rey “Fresh herbs and lime”

V0115R1IF – Cabernet Syrah, 2013. $19.99 $12.99 $155.88Duc De Belmonde “Hints of earth, leather and spice”

V0115R2DC – Petite Sirah, 2011. Red Tree $19.99 $12.99 $155.88“Leather and earth mixed with lots of berries”


V0115W1DC – Chardonnay, 2012. Kimmel $19.99 $11.99 $143.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

V0115W2IR – Sauvignon Blanc, 2011. $18.99 $11.99 $143.88Graham Beck “Floral with hints of honeysuckle”

V0215R1IF – Malbec, 2013. Accoutre $19.99 $12.99 $155.88“Concentrated, tannic with blackberry fruit”

V0215R2II – Sangiovese, 2011. Palazzo $21.99 $12.99 $155.88“Very clean with hints spice and earth”

V0215W1IZ – Riesling, 2010. Villa Maria $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Crisp and clean with a peach jam component”

V0215W2IS – Verdejo, 2014. Spanish Eye $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Crisp and clean with a white peach component”

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Tradit ion cuvée, wasreplaced by “Generation”,reflecting the rare fact ofhaving four Generations intheir wine family. This newname is associated with anew packaging though nothing has changed withregard to the production ofthis classical wine from their estate.

This Cuvée is a blend of 70%Merlot and 30% CabernetFranc. The decision as to

which lots gointo the finalblend is doneby the tastingo f e v e r y barrel afterfermentationand decidingwhich onesreflect thefamily percep-tion of the vintage. Their

goal is a full wine with soft tannins, finishing long,complex and aromatic. Aging is done for 13 monthsin French oak barrels. Noneare new and a limited racking results in a moreconcentrated fruit compo-nent. This is a fine exampleof Bordeaux from a greatvintage that will easily continue to improve for fiveto 10 more years.

Bordeaux is the most famouswine producing area onEarth. It has been revered forcenturies and its popularity isstronger than ever. Here is aclassic example of Bordeauxthat won’t break the bank.So well balanced, it couldmatch a rare steak as well asa cheese soufflé.

he vineyard ofChâteau Le GrandVerdus is located in

the heart of a preserved hillylandscape. This is located inthe AOC Bordeaux Supérieurarea, between the areas ofMédoc, Graves and Saint-Emilion, at the gateway tothe Entre-Deux-Mers region.It is between the Garonneand Dordogne rivers, approximately 15 miles eastof Bordeaux city. The historyof Le Grand Verdus wine isalso that ofthe Château,which datesf rom theRenaissance,and of the LeGrix de la Sallefamily, whodecided afterWorld War II to grow theirlittle vineyardi n t o arenowned winemakingenterprise.

The superb country 16th-cen tu ry Rena i ss ance residence has been in thehands of the same familysince 1810, four generationsof the Le Grix De La Sallefamily, all fired by the same passion for wine.Winemaking has been a passion for four generations,and their vineyard boasts anexceptional terroir located ina sumptuous landscape. In1579, the fortified countryresidence was built on thesite of an old fortified castle.The first lord of the châteaurecorded in the 16th centurywas Arnaud de Bonneau.

Starting with the 2009 vintage, the name of their

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ITEM #: L0215R1IF




41% Discount

Bordeaux(Bore-doe)

2010

Grand VerdusBordeaux, France

Color:Medium magenta

Nose:Hints of violets withearth and leather

Palate:Full with touches ofberry and earth

Finish:Soft tannins, giving

way to a touch of fruit

Alcohol:13%




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ITEM #: L0215R2IA




38% Discount

Pinot Noir(PEE no Nwahr)

2013

AlpatacoPatagonia, Argentina

Color:Light Magenta

Nose:Bing cherry with hints

of cinnamon and cotton candy

Palate:Delicate hints of mint

and spice

Finish:Lovely spice withtouches of mint

Alcohol:14%




giving the place a slightlymystical aura.

Alpataco is an indigenousbush that survives theextreme climate of thisregion. It is a symbol oftenacity of life in Patagonian.Alpataco is the name given to this bush by theindigenous people of theregion due to its strong anddeep roots. It translates as"Tree of the Earth."

Pinot Noir has had very littlep resence inArgentina. Onewonders why,other than the fact that it is avery difficult grapeto grow and wineto make. It has athin skin and issusceptible tomold and disease.It doesn’t like very

hot temperatures and ittends to brown quickly afterfermentation if it isn’t keptas air free as possible. But itaccounts for some of themost sought-after wines inthe world.

Argentina’s climate is perfectas it is not to dry and incredibly dry. It’s only beenrecently that wineries areeven attempting it, duemainly to its increasing popularity around the world.This is a fine example showing classic Pinot Noircharacter along with a bit ofits own components fromthe soils from which it hails.Great with duck breast with atart cranberry sauce.

lpataco is part of theFamlia SchroederWinery, located in

the Valley of San Patricio del Chañar, Patagonia,Argentina. This is about 45miles from the city ofNeuquén which has quicklybecome a new wine makingarea. Unparalleled conditionsmake this region particularlyfit for growing a wide variety of grapes withPatagonian traits.

Rocky soils, plenti-ful ice melt water,wide temperaturef l u c t u a t i o nbetween warmdays and coolnights, frequentwinds and lowhumidity providethe ideal settingfor the vineyards.Endless blue skiesand starry nightsguard the 140hectares planted with varieties such as Malbec,Pinot Noir, Merlot, CabernetSauvignon, Chardonnay,Sauvignon Blanc andTorrontés.

The remains of a dinosaurwere found during the soilmovement that precededthe winery construction. Thespecimen, which belongedto the family of theTitanosaurus, well known fortheir enormous size, wasnamed PanamericansaurusSchroederi and served asinspiration for the name oftwo wine ranges of FamiliaSchroeder: Saurus andSaurus Select. Its presencecan be felt guarding every corner of the winery,

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ITEM #: L0215W3IR




26% Discount

Sauvignon Blanc(SOO ving yahn Blonk)

2014

VillieraStellenbosch, South Africa

Color:Pale

Nose:Lychee and Citrus

Palate:White peach

Finish:Clean, crisp and citrusy

Alcohol:13.5%




Viticulturist Simon Grier has always been a keen supporter of maintainingenvironmentally friendlyvineyard management practices. The farm has notsprayed insecticides for thepast 15 years. There is astrong focus on water conservation, recycling and agreening project, whichentails the planting of10,000 trees on the farm.This philosophy has led to avibrant eco-system on thefarm, including huge flocks

o f gu ineafowl, Capefoxes, greymongooses,p o r c u p i n e sa n d t h et h rea tenedblue crane.Th i s e co -f r i e n d l yapproach hasborn fruit

with Villiera being acceptedas suppliers to Marks &Spencer in the UK andWoolworths in South Africa.

Sauvignon Blanc is SouthAfrica’s most popular variety.The grapes are picked atoptimum ripeness which inthe case of Sauvignon Blancis just under 13 % alcohol.This is to ensure sufficientacid balance. Ensuring goodprotection of the fruit fromoxidation and the hand harvesting in the early morning to take advantageof cooler conditions are thebest ways to make greatwine here.

This is a classic South AfricanSauvignon Blanc from one itstop producers. Lychee, stonefruit and citrus abound andmake it a classic with blackcod in a beurre blanc sauce.

n 2006, Villiera Winesbecame a fully accred-ited member of the

Wine Industry Ethical TradeAssociation, which wasestablished in November2002. The association wasinstrumental in bringingtogether stake holders in the Western Cape wine and broader agriculturalindustries to promote ethicaltrade in the agricultural sector. WIETA’s mission is to improve the working conditions of employeeswithin theagr icul tura lindustry byadhering toe t h i c a lemploymentp r a c t i c e s .The WIETAC o d e o fConduct pro-hibits the useof child labor,excessive working hours andunfair discrimination, whileensuring a healthy and safeworking environment andthe right to a living wage.

Cousins Jeff and Simon Grierstarted the family-ownedVilliera Wines outsideStellenbosch in 1983 andembarked on an extensivereplanting of classic and localvarietals. The introduction of hi-tech cellar facilitiescombined with a uniquewine business philosophyhas seen Villiera developinginto one of the largest private wineries in the country. Award-winningwinemaker Jeff Grier crafts arange of wines characterizedby a strong reflection ofVilliera’s unique terroir andthe retention of the distinctaromas and flavors of thedifferent varietals.

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outstanding vineyardsthroughout the world. Theydonate a portion of theirprofits to worthy causes thatinvolve dogs.

The unique and highly collectable “Puppy Series”wine labels feature an original portrait illustrated byJay P. Snellgrove, thus thename of the wine, Yorkshire.This is their fourth editionSauvignon Blanc label of aYorkshire terrier puppy which

is affectionatelyk n ow n a s“Yorkies.” Theyare known toh a v e b i g personalities ina small packagesimilar to whatwe see in ourS a u v i g n o nBlanc. Limitedh a n d - s i g n e dand numberedGiclee print

reproductions of the Puppyand Commemorat i ve illustrations are available forsale to art collectors and doglovers alike.

But it was the wine that soldus on this gem, not the label.We love New ZealandSauvignon Blancs and arealways eager to taste a new one. This one was awinner, puppies and all. Hereis a pure, unadulteratedexpression of cool climateSauvignon Blanc from a first class vineyard. Thegooseberry and white peachare all there in the nose andmouth. The finish is long and true and just made for Hamachi sashimi orsmoked salmon.

42-year veteran inthe wine business,Bill Foss formed a

wine importing and distrib-uting company named Bauer& Foss with fellow Universityof Michigan alum in 1972. Atthe time he was still workingas an aerospace engineer onthe Mars Viking Program. In1973, Bill left engineering todevote his time to Bauer &Foss in Ohio, a pioneer in finewine distribution. Here heserved as Chairman until itssale in 2000. InColorado, Billwo rked as educator, con-sultant , andre ta i l w inebuyer whilef o u n d i n gVinternationalImports, Ltd., in1983.

He co-foundedGrand Vin Ltd in1985, a widely respectedand innovative fine wine distributorship. He served asChairman and co-CEO untilthe sale of the company in2004. In 2006, Bill co-founded Cru Vin Dogs WineGroup with Mary Snellgroveand her artist husband, Jay,and continues to creativelyapply his knowledge andexpertise in imagining newand exciting directions forthe company and its strategic partners.

Cru Vin Dogs isn’t your ordinary wine company. They exist to combine their passion of wine, art, andtheir love of dogs. First andforemost, they are dedicatedto producing premium winesof exceptional quality from

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33% Discount

Sauvignon Blanc(SOO ving yahn Blonk)

2013

YorkshireMarlborough, New Zealand

Color:Light Golden

Nose:White peach and

grapefruit

Palate:Fresh herbs,

gooseberry and lime

Finish:Tart and herbal

Alcohol:13%




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Earlier LIMITED SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!


L1214R1IF – Grenache, 2013. $23.99 $15.99 $191.88Domaine de Servans “Berries, leather and earth”

L1214R2IF – Bordeaux, 2011. Clos Monicord $29.99 $15.99 $191.88“Tannic and consuming in the mouth”

L1214W3IF – White Bordeaux, 2013. $22.99 $14.99 $179.88Clos Monicord “Stone fruit with stones, white peach and lime”

L1214W4IS – Albarino, 2012. Paco and Lola $22.99 $15.99 $191.88“Pear and lychee”

L0115R1II – Ripasso, 2009. Villa Sonia $25.99 $16.99 $203.88“Full, but not overbearing”

L0115R2IA – Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. $25.99 $15.99 $191.88Alpataco “Cherry with hints of earth and cocoa”

L0115W2IF – Vouvray, 2012. Châteauvieux $22.99 $16.99 $203.88“Pear, quince, citrus”

L0115W3DC – Convivio, 2013. Field Stone $22.99 $15.99 $191.88“Caramel with hints of earth and spice”

L0215R1IF – Bordeaux, 2010. Grand Verdus $28.99 $16.99 $203.88“Soft tannins, giving way to a touch of fruit”

L0215R2IA – Pinot Noir, 2013. Alpataco $25.99 $15.99 $191.88“Lovely spice with touches of mint”

L0215W3IR – Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. $22.99 $16.99 $203.88Villiera “Clean, crisp and citrusy”

L0215W4IZ – Sauvignon Blanc, 2013. $23.99 $15.99 $191.88Yorkshire “Tart and herbal”


F O R M E M B E R S O N L YF O R M E M B E R S O N L Y

QA. As a general rule, I consider the practice of giving wine time to

"breathe" before it's served to be somewhat overrated. Theidea behind it is simple: Wines that need aging may be shy onaroma and flavor when they're first opened, a characteristicthat's sometimes described in winespeak as "closed" or"tight." Give them a little exposure to air, the theory goes, andyou're providing a rough-and-ready substitute for the gentler oxidation that occurs with fine wines as they age in the cellar. While there's some truth in this, it's worth remembering that it only applies to probably less than 5% ofall the wines produced in the world. Most wines are freshand fruity and ready to drink within a few months of beingput in the bottle. Letting those wines breathe risks missingout on their delicate offerings. Worse still is the risk you takein breathing an older wine that's fully mature, as some olderwines, like some older people, become fragile with age andmay give up their spirit very quickly after the cork is pulled.But if you do it at all, don't simply pull the cork, whichexposes only a tiny circle of wine the size of a dime in thebottleneck to the air. Rather, pour a glass, and do it brisklyso the wine gets good exposure to the atmosphere. Thenleave it for 30 minutes or so, and you may find that thewine "opens up" before dinner. Another approach, ofcourse, is simply to open the wine at the time you serveit, take it as it comes, but if you find it shy, harsh andastringent, push back your glass and enjoy it after dinner,when it's had time to breathe.

“Paul, how important is it that a wine ‘breathes?’ “~ D.S., Austin, Texas

Q&A

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V i s i t o u r w e b s i t e a t w w w . W i n e o f t h e M o n t h C l u b . c o m

f o r g i f t b a s k e t s , g i f t m e m b e r s h i p s a n d v a r i o u s

w i n e a s s o r t m e n t s .

Gifts & MoreGIFTS &

MORE

A. Classic Series Gift Membership The gift that makes everyone smile, this ISthe club that started it all—I mean reallystarted “wine to your door.” The founding feature of Wine of the Month Club is theClassic Series. First shipment arrives in ahandsome burgundy linen gift box and isaccompanied by a personalized gift card.

4 Months: $149 (plus applicable state taxes)6 Months: $223 (plus applicable state taxes)12 Months: $446 (plus applicable state taxes)

Shipping & handling included*

B. Vintners Series Gift MembershipThe most recent addition to our family atWine of the Month Club, the Vintners Seriesgives your gift recipient an opportunity toexperience wines in a price range thatoffers a wider variety of grapes and growing regions. First shipment arrives in ahandsome burgundy linen gift box and isaccompanied by a personalized gift card.



C. Limited Series Gift MembershipIf your gift recipient appreciates the delicate subtleties of a fine premium wine, the exceptional special occasion selections you’ll find in the Limited Series are bound to please. First shipment arrives in a handsome burgundy linen gift box and isaccompanied by a personalized gift card.



A

B

C

*Shipping included for shipments going to contiguous US states. Call for Alaska, Hawaii and/or other rural US territories.

Recipes

22

Preparation:

Ingredients:

4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil2 medium onions, peeled and chopped2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced1 3-lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces 1 cup dry white wine

1 28-oz. can peeled whole san marzano tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved

1 bay leaf1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary leaves1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsleySalt and freshly ground black pepper

Pan-Seared Trout with Pecan Brown Butter SauceSERVES 4

Ingredients:

12 tbsp. unsalted butter¾ cup roughly chopped pecans1 scallion, thinly sliced2 tsp. grated lemon zest, plus 2 tsp. juiceKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste½ cup flour4 (6-oz.) boneless, skinless rainbow trout filets1 tbsp. finely chopped parsley, for garnish1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving

Preparation:

Purée 8 tbsp. butter, ½ cup pecans, the scallion, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper in asmall food processor until smooth; set aside.

Melt 2 tbsp. of remaining butter in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat; place flour on a plate.Season 2 filets trout with salt and pepper; dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Cook, flippingonce, until golden and cooked through, 3–4 minutes. Repeat with remaining butter and trout.Transfer filets to serving plates.

Add remaining chopped pecans to skillet; cook, until toasted, 2–3 minutes. Add butter mixture;cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Spoon pecan sauce over trout. Garnish with parsley andserve with lemon and Rai Pinot Gris. (Page 4)

Chicken CacciatoreSERVES 4

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TASTIN

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THE CORKBOARDTHE CORKBOARD


Membership in the Wine of the Month Club is open to anyone with an interest in andappreciation for superb wines...and excellent wine values. Membership is FREE.

Wine of the Month ClubP.O. Box 660220, Arcadia, CA 91066

Website: www.WineoftheMonthClub.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/WineoftheMonthClubTwitter: http://twitter.com/wineofthemonth

Newsletter written by: Ed Masciana, Wine Author

CALL: 1-800-949-9463 or [626] 303-1690EMAIL: [email protected]

wines evaluated last month: 274 • rejected: 243 • approved: 44 • … · 2017. 6. 17. ·...

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