Wines evaluated last month: 287 • Rejected: 243 • … · Wines evaluated last month: 287 •...

Wines evaluated last month: 287 • Rejected: 243 • Approved: 44 • Selected: 12 DECEMBER 2013

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What’s new 2Classic Series: Diamante River Cabernet/Merlot 3Classic Series: Duck Pond Chardonnay 4Classic Series: Stonegate Field Blend 5Classic Series: Mommy Juice Chardonnay 6Classic Series Earlier Selections 7Cellar Notes 8Vintners Series: Ruby Red Cabernet Sauvignon 9Vintners Series: Messenger Sauvignon Blanc 10Vintners Series: Javier Asensio Tempranillo Merlot 11Vintners Series: Valdivieso Chardonnay 12Vintners Series Earlier Selections 13

Facebook 14Limited Series: Poulvarel Syrah Grenache 15Limited Series: Murviedro Tempranillo 16Limited Series: Blackburn Chardonnay 17Limited Series: Ferrante Pinot Grigio 18Limited Series Earlier Selections 19For Members Only 20Gifts & More 21Recipe: Pork Roast with Marsala 22Recipe: Cioppino 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

1 - 8 0 0 - 9 4 9 - 9 4 6 3 • w w w . W i n e o f t h e M o n t h C l u b . c o m

love the holidays…not just for the workload (I love thepace around here atChristmas), but for the

opportunity to serve you. My middle daughter has thisdesire to please people withher cooking…. and she will bea restauranteur. I have adesire to please people withmy wine selections. I wantpeople to rave about thewines and the service. I wantgift recipients to tell their gift givers in some casual conversation how much theyenjoyed their wines and the service they received. It just makes me feel needed. . . and don’t we all.Merry Christmas!.

Paul KalemkiarianOwner/Cellarmaster

I

What’s What’s NewNew This Month? This Month?What’s What’s NewNew This Month? This Month?oping this newsletter finds you and yours healthy andin prosperity. I handpicked a few of our gifts thatmight be great last minute gifts. (but looks like youthought of them weeks ago.)H

6 MONTH CLASSIC SERIES GIFT MEMBERSHIPThe gift that makes everyone smile, this is the club that started it all—I mean really started “wine to your door.” The founding feature of Wine of the Month Clubis the Classic Series. First shipment arrives in a hand-some burgundy linen gift box and is accompanied bya personalized gift card.

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

#5GP $223 FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING

THE AFICIONADOPerhaps our best seller for the past 5 years running. It’sno wonder with this wonderful 6-bottle chest adornedwith ancient sailing routes. After the wine is gone, thechest remains as a sophisticated accent piece that cansafely store 6 wine bottles.

Gift includes: 2008 Trustcott Zinfandel, 2012 GeneseoSauvignon Blanc, 2012 Bacan Sauvignon Blanc, 2012Goose Creek Syrah, 2012 Corinto Carmenere, 2009Painted Van Chardonnay, Waiters Corkscrew and Wine Pouring Discs. Arrives in anelegant 6-Bottle Treasure Map Chest.

#TAFB $99 FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING

CHOCOLATE DREAMSDeath by chocolate would be a more accurate name. Ifyou have the chocolate lover of chocolate lovers on your list, this basket will make you a hero. Handpickedchocolate delicacies all sourced from the Fancy Food Showin San Francisco and sent in a faux leather re-usable tote.Two red wines chosen for the chocolate compatibility are included.

Gift includes: 2009 En Buena Compania Malbec, 2008 Whispering Tree CabernetSauvignon, Dolcetto Chocolate Wafer Cookies, Chocolate Crisp Cookies, ChocolateCrackle Cookies, Urban Oven Chocolate Cookies, Claeys Kettle Fudge, Gaia OrganicMilk Chocolate, La Patisserie Decadent Chocolate Crepes, Cable Car Milk Chocolateand Torani Chocolate Biscotti. Arrives in an executive leatherette tote.

#CLB $80 FREE SHIPPING & HANDLING

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ITEM #: C1213R1IA

Retail Price: $18.99/each

Member Price: $10.98/each

Reorder Price: $7.99/each

58% Discount

CabernetSauvignon/Merlot(Kab air NAY Soe vingYAHN/Mare LOW)

2011

Diamante RiverSan Rafael, Argentina

Color:Deep magenta

Nose:Blackberry and cocoa

Palate:Cherry with hints ofearth and spice

Finish:Very berry with hints of vanilla

Alcohol:13.5%

Drink now through 2014

WOMC RATING95 Points

own rootstock. This is one ofthe last areas in the worldwhere this is done. Over 150years ago a plant lousecalled phyloxera devastatedthe vineyards of Europe. The only cure was to replant grapes usingAmerican hybrid rootstocksbecause they are resilient tophyloxera. California had aphyloxera at the beginningof the 1980s when somevineyards were experiment-ing with different rootstockswhich turned out to be not resistent at all. Most

vineyards had toreplant.

Because none ofthis happened inArgentina, theycont inued to grow their grapeson their own rootstock. Therehas been somethought that thegrapes are betterwhen grown on

their own stock but this isopen to interpretation and preference. The few peoplewho have actually tastedEuropean wines from the1800s, that were grown ontheir own rootstock, have yetto reach a consensus.

Here is a wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot, Bonarda and Malbec.This wine is deep in colorwith an exuberant palateand velvety texture. Whenpairing this wine think bigand juicy to match with a big and juicy steak!

aniel Eduardo Sutercomes from fourgenerat ions of

artisan winemakers with hisfamily arriving in Argentinafrom Switzerland in 1897.Since then, the Suter namehas been synonymous withgood wines from the region.One of the countries’s leading winemakers,renowned throughoutArgentina, Daniel won manyinternational awards for hiswine such as the prestigiousVinus Award. He was afounding member of the S a n R a f a e lDenominación deOrigen Controlada(DOC) for SanRafael, Argentinaand was Presidentof Winemakers atthe San RafaelC h am b e r o fCommerce from1992 to 1998.

Diamante is alsoknown as LaCiudad Blanca, located onthe ravines of the RiverParaná close to the NationalPark Pre Delta La Azotea andboasts numerous beacheswith warm waters. The mainattractiveness of the regionis the fishing of indigenousspecies found only in thesewaters. Every year they celebrate its uniqueness with provincial folkloricevents like the RodeoNational Festival, Folkloreand the celebration of theFisherman's Prowess.

One of the unique thingsabout grapes grown here isthat the vines are on their

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ITEM #: C1213W1DW




65% Discount

Chardonnay(Shar doe NAY)

2009

Duck PondColumbia Valley,Washington

Color:Pale

Nose:Green apple and spice

Palate:Apple, pear and

cinnamon

Finish:Very crisp with a touch

of guava

Alcohol:14.5%



mostly sold by the family to their tasting room customers.

In the early to mid-90s, thefamily continued acquiringland throughout theNorthwest to better suit agrowing vineyards. They purchased a large parcel on Eastern Washington’sWahluke Slope where theyplanted a wide variety ofgrapes including Chardonnay,Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

and Syrah.D u b b e dDesert WindV i n e y a r d ,s u p p l y i n gfruit for DuckPond wines, as well as

the family’s WashingtonState brand, Desert Wind,was launched in 2001 toshowcase the exceptionalfruit from the vineyard.

Though the winery is inOregon our Chardonnayselection comes from theirvineyard just across the state line in Washington. It is fermented in stainlesssteel to capture the richf ru i t i ness o f the i rChardonnay grapes. Twentyfive percent is fermented in barrels to add structureand weight. Here is a rareopportunity to taste amature Chardonnay from an exceptional vineyard. The aging has allowed thelovely guava and quincenotes that would pair withlobster ravioli in a brownbutter sauce.

n spite of the fact that itis one of the largestproducers in Oregon,

Duck Pond Cellars remains asmall, family-owned winery.Originally from California’sCentral Valley, lifelong farm-ers Doug and Jo Ann Friesmoved their young family tothe small Central Oregontown of Sunriver in the early1980s. In 1984, they pur-chased property along thebanks of the WillametteRiver in Dundee, Oregonwhere theyplanted a5 0 0 - a c r eh a z e l n u torchard anda small 13-acre vine-yard withthe hopes of producing a few hundred cases of theirown wine.

In 1990, son Greg Friesbegan college at UC Daviswith the intent to studyagribusiness. An electivecourse in enology sparked anew interest changing hismain focus on studying the art and science of winemaking. As daughter,Lisa, neared her own collegegraduation, the four familymembers crafted a plan tobegin their own small winery in Dundee. OnMemorial Day Weekend of1993, Duck Pond Cellars,named in honor of the family home on Sunriver’sDuck Pond Lane, opened its doors to the public for the first time. The initialofferings totaled around1,000 cases which were

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ITEM #: C1213R2DC




60% Discount

Field Blend(Cabernet, Zinfandel,

Merlot)

2010

StonegateNapa Valley, California

Color:Deep purple

Nose:Currant, black cherry

and chocolate

Palate:Very clean cranberryblack pepper and spice

Finish:Long and forebodingwith cherry and vanilla

Alcohol:13.5%



Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

visibility through optimizedfarming of outstanding vineyards from Stonegate’spast and new discoveries,closely monitored wine-making and new packagingupholding the brand as aclassic.

Along with son David, whoheads up winemaking, thefamily was the first to ownthe entire winemakingprocess from growinggrapes, harvesting, crushing,fermenting and aging to

tasting andobserving howwine drinkersreacted to thewines . Theresu l t was u n i v e r s a l l y heralded wine.With gains inthe science ofNapa Valleyv i t i c u l t u r e ,

throughout the decades thewines of Stonegate havenever suffered a downturn in quality even with a seriesof ownership changes.Caretaker of the Stonegatebrand is the newly formedRobin Hood, LLC.

Classic is certainly the wordwe would use to describethis blend of CabernetSauvignon, Zinfandel andMerlot. It offers elegant tannins with flavors of bakedcherries, mocha and plum.The dense, chocolatey andberry essences abound in a whirling sensation depositing flecks of intenseflavors within its realm. Notto be missed with osso buco or chicken fried steaksmothered in caramelizedon ions and c r im in i mushrooms and a dash ofbalsamic.

ounders James andBarbara Spaulding,considered charter

members of Napa Valley’smodern wine revolution, recognized and cultivatedsmall sub-regions within the Napa Valley. To theSpauldings, it seemed that grapes of impressiveintensity and great depthshould grow there. In the’70s and ’80s, these microregions’ potential, untappedfor the most part, capturedthe imagination of wine-makers withdrive and grit.The Stonegatewinery, situat-ed between St. Helena andCalistoga alongNapa Valley’sfamed Highway29, was theproving groundf o r w i n e s originating in vineyard gems in such places asD iamond Mounta in ,Rutherford and Oakville.

The mid-1970 saw a boom of determined winemakingfamilies staking new groundin the Napa Valley as morewine drinkers demandedwines of greater distinction.S tonegate V ineya rds , synonymous with legendaryNapa Valley Cabernet andMerlot, was one such leader.

A rich history of viticulture, adeep knowledge of micro-climates, optimal wine-making and an effectivesales team will fortify abrand that has become indistinguishable from thefine reputation of NapaVal ley Cabernet andChardonnay. The partnershipintends to strengthen their

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ITEM #: C1213W2DC




56% Discount


2010

Mommy JuiceMonterey, California

Color:Pale gold

Nose:Fresh apple and

vanilla

Palate:Rich pineapple withhints of lemon grass

Finish:Lime and kiwi

Alcohol:13.5%



that is both gorgeous andunique. Picturesque in itsnatural beauty, it’s an undulating, natural phenom-enon that begins with therugged Pacific coastline to the west and segues tofertile valleys framed byascending mountain rangesto the east. These lush valleys are known for perfectgrape growing conditions;abundant sunshine by dayand cool, ocean fog by night.The ancient alluvial soils give

this region areputation ofp r o d u c i n gw o r l d - c l a s swines. Thesealluvial soils arefinely layered,v e r y d e e p and primarilyrecognized forcreating excep-

tionally inexhaustible grapegrowing conditions. Withfarmers who are finelyattuned to this region’spotential, grapes grown herehave a delicious flavor profile. This is no exception.

Our selection is made from100% Chardonnay grown inMonterey. It features aromasof tropical fruit salad,pineapples, guava, bananasand hints of lemon grass andcitrus fruit rinds. Kiwi, limeand a hit of grassiness roundout this very fruit forwardChardonnay. Drop the kids ata sitter and have a picnicwith your significant other or at GNO (Girl’s Night Out).Try with fried shrimp withlemon aioli.

ommy Juice Wineswas founded byCheryl Durzy, a

mom of two and a ten-yearveteran of the wine industryin Sales and Marketing atClos LaChance Wines. Thesewines were inspired by heryoung children who point towine glasses everywherethey go claiming “That’sMommy’s Juice!” Her visionincludes balanced, fruit-forward wines that bring justa bit of peace after the chaosof everyday lifeas a parent.

In her day job,C h e r y l i sresponsible forClos LaChance’ssales through-out all channelsi n c l u d i n gwh o l e s a l e s ,wine clubs, tasting roomsand the Internet. In addition,Cheryl manages marketingfor the brand and the otherbusiness units. She sits onseveral industry boardsincluding the Santa CruzMountains WinegrowersAssociation and Free theGrapes. In December 2008,Cheryl took and passed withefficiency the AdvancedCertificate level of the Wineand Spirits Education Trust.

Outside of the kids, work,cooking and a bit of exercisewhen she can, she doesn’thave much time to do anything else. That hasn’tgotten in her way consider-ing the terrific wines shecrafts at unheard of prices.

Monterey County is a grapegrowing area of California

M

CLASSIC SER

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Reg Reorder CaseItem # Wine Name Retail Price Price Price

C1013R1IS - Tempranillo Crianza, 2008. $18.99 $7.99 $95.88Campo Marin “Very clean grapey and cherry with soft tannins”

C1013R2DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012. $13.99 $7.99 $95.88Sycamore Lane “Cherry with hints of earth and spice”

*Featured in the California Wine Series

C1013W1IC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2012. Libertas $15.99 $6.99 $83.88“Clean and ripe with swashes of grapefruit”

C1013W2DC - Chardonnay, 2010. NickName $14.99 $6.99 $83.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

C1113R1IC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. $15.99 $7.99 $95.88Hermoso Hermosa “Very clean cranberry and soft tannins”

C1113R2DC - Merlot Zinfadel, 2011. $19.99 $7.99 $95.88Barricade “Ripe cherry, brambleberry and plum”


C1113W1II - Moscato, 2011. Mezzacorona $14.99 $6.99 $83.88“Good balance, firm acidity, spice and honeysuckle”

C1113W2DC - Pinot Blanc, 2010. Mary’s $17.99 $6.99 $83.88“Very clean pear and a silky texture”

C1213R1IA - Cabernet/Merlot, 2011. $18.99 $7.99 $95.88Diamante River “Cherry with hints of earth and spice”

C1213R2DC - Field Blend, 2010. Stonegate $19.99 $7.99 $95.88“Very clean cranberry black pepper and spice”


C1213W1DW - Chardonnay, 2009. $19.99 $6.99 $83.88Duck Pond “Apple, pear and Cinnamon”

C1213W2DC - Chardonnay, 2010. $15.99 $6.99 $83.88Mommy Juice “Rich pineapple with hints of lemon grass”

8

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:

December 2011:Merlot, 2008. OMG. Still great.Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. 2G2BT. Drink up.Merlot, 2008. Lockwood. Drink or hold.Chardonnay, 2010. Triada. Showing well.

December 2012:Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009. J & J. Keep or hold.Muscat/Sauvignon Blanc, 2011. OMG. Still Great.Shiraz/Grenache, 2009. Cats Amongst The Pigeons. Keep or hold.Moscato, 2011. Cardiff. Still Great.

Vintners Series:

December 2011:Ventoux, 2009. Journee Mistral. Drink or hold.Pinot Gris, 2009. Man O War. Drink up.Lagrein, 2007. Praxis. Drink or hold.Sauvignon Blanc, 2011. Botalcura. Drink now.

December 2012:Pinot Noir, 2009. Claiborne and Churchill. Keep or holdTorrontes, 2011, Ikella. DrinkTouriga, 2006. Terroso. Still GreatSauvignon Blanc, 2011. Santa Carolina. Drink.

Limited Series:

December 2011:Cabernet/Malbec/Merlot, 2007. Lockwood (Partners' Reserve).

Perfect now.Pinot Noir, 2009. Lockwood. Drink or hold.Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. Ecolove. Drink now.Riesling, 2009. Ecolove. Drink or hold.

December 2012:Grenache, 2010. Passion. Awesome.Pinot Noir, 2008. Deep Cove. Still Great.Torrontes, 2010. Tukma. Drink.Vernaccia, 2011. Castellani. Keep or hold.

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University of San Franciscoand worked in New York forseveral years after graduateschool. Upon returning toSan Francisco in 1980, hedetermined never to leavenorthern California again.True to his Midwestern roots,he knew the only way toguarantee lifelong residencyat a place was to buy landthere. In 1987, he purchasedthe Summers Ranch propertyin Knights Valley and following a permanent move

to the area in1995 where hepurchased thewine ry andvineyards inCalistoga.

Our selection is a producedfrom Cabernetgrapes pro-

cured from several selectvineyards in the Lodi,California’s most up andcoming wine appellation.This area is considered theCentral Valley but shares amore temperate climatewith Napa as the coolbreezes from San Pablo Bayproducing a much coolergrowing condition than anyarea in its proximity.

Ou r supe rb Cabe rnetSauvignon has true varietalcharacter, great depth,intense flavor and a soft tannin structure. Enjoysuperlative flavors of blackcherry jam, bacon bits, coffee and dark chocolate. Itis an absolute must withprime rib or rack of lamb.

wners, Jim and BethSummers, are nostrangers to hard

work. Their winery is a testament to their achieve-ments and hard-won efforts to build and maintaina family-owned boutiquewinery in one of the mostcoveted wine-growingregions in the world, theNapa Valley. Jim spendsmuch of the year on theroad, bringing the family’swines to 21 states, whileBeth managesoperations atthe w ine ry.Until recently,Beth did justabout every-thing in thewinery short of making thewine herselffrom managingthe tasting room, organizingthe wine club shipments and database, overseeingbottling, grape contracts andthe employees.

Beth is a California nativeand the great-granddaughterof Ambrose Mazzola, anItalian immigrant who firstcame to California from Italyin 1903. Mazzola was taskedby the Sicilian Prince of Landto secure American rootstockto help replant Italian vineyards that had been devastated by phylloxera. Hereturned to California severalyears later and in 1919 purchased approximately160 acres of vineyard land inCucamonga, California.

Jim, a Kansas native, completed his MBA at the

O

ITEM #: V1213R1DC




30% Discount

CabernetSauvignon Kab air NAY

Soe ving YAHN

2010

Ruby Red Lodi, California

Color:Deep magenta

Nose:Blackberry, black

cherry and chocolate

Palate:Cherry jam with hints

of bacon bits

Finish:Very berry with cherry

and vanilla

Alcohol:13.9%

Drink nowthrough 2015


Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

VINTNERS SERIES

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residency with the EdmundRothschild family. After hisstint with the Rothschild's,he honed his sales skills as asugar trader in Paris andNew York. In 2000, hereturned to Napa Valley withhis wife and 3 children, amove that virtually ensuredhis re-entry into the winebusiness.

The Messenger SauvignonBlanc is a combination of a

fresh, aromaticS a u v i g n o nB lanc f romwa rm a n d cool climates,which was tank fermented withno malo-lacticand blendedwith a more

full-bodied Sauvignon Blancwith time in French oak barrels. Malo-lactic refers toa secondary fermentationwhere the harsh malic acid,found on the skin of a greenapple, is converted to lacticacid, the acid found in milk. The result is a winethat is fresh, crisp and fruitdominated with just a hint ofFrench Oak to round it out.

This Sauvignon Blanc unveilsa delightful array of tropicalpeach and nectarine flavorsgently rippling through therich and silky palate. Subtlehints of French oak and spice gracefully weave theirway to a finish displayingenviable length. Try withcrab cakes in lemon aioli orrosemary chicken.

h e Me s s e nge rSauvignon Blanc wascrafted by Cicaida

Winery in Napa. Owners, Kat& Rob McDonald, have beenmaking and selling wine for20 years in 3 countries. Robgrew up in Australia's famedAdelaide Hills wine regionamongst many of the vintners he would one dayrepresent as importer intothe USA. In fact, the businessKat and Robfounded, OldBridge Cellars,led the chargeof high quality,family ownedA u s t r a l i a nwineries intothe USA in theearly 1990's.During this time, Kat andRob established their owndry and naturally farmedvineyard in Heathcote,Victoria. They also purchasedand farmed a prized NapaValley Cabernet Vineyard andcollaborated with manyother great winemakers inAustralia and New Zealand tomake a diverse and highlyregarded set of wines.

Matt Stone is a partner withKat and Rob. His familyfounded Napa Valley Icon,Sterling Vineyards in 1964.As a young man, Mattearned his first paycheckfrom the winery and helpedhis father with many aspectsof vineyard and winery life.Keeping his nose close to thewine industry, Matt movedto France and took up

T

ITEM #: V1213W1DC




32% Discount

Sauvignon Blanc(Soe ving YAHN Blonk)

2009

MessengerCalifornia

Color:Pale gold

Nose:Fresh nectarine and vanilla

Palate:Rich peach with a hint of spice

Finish:Peach and vanilla

Alcohol:14.1%



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the different ecosystems andcrop growing conditions:slopes, river plains, plateauxand plains. From high plainsto low valleys, this is one ofthe most unique wine grow-ing regions in the world.

The last two decades haveseen ongoing changes which have completelytransformed the styles ofwine produced. Non-nativevarieties were introducedsuch as the Chardonnay andCabernet Sauvignon. These

v a r i e t i e s have grownalongside thenative Viura,Tempran i l loand Garnacha.Internationalv a r i e t i e s well suited to the regionaided thedevelopment

of a new wine style.

Additionally, a group ofenthusiastic growers cameon the scene and were readyto make drastic changesaimed at achieving wines ofquality. These visionariesbrought fresh ideas and revolutionary wine-makingconcepts to the region whilesetting themselves up as the worthy successors of thebest of the area's wine-making traditions.

This wine selection has powerful aromas of cherry,smoke and vanilla with aspicy undertone. Ripe andfresh with supple textures,deep cherry and dark berry.Great with baby back ribs in a Bourbon BBQ sauce.

he Asensio Sanzbrothers foundedthis winery in 1994

with the sole objective ofproducing quality wines.Based in the Sesma area, theowners work with around 70 hectares of their ownvineyard planted in chalky,alluvial soils. The region isarid and grape maturation isoptimum with low yieldswhich are regulated by verylow levels of rainfall. Annualproduction is around 18,000cases which make this anartisan winery.

A key charac-te r i s t i c o f the Navarraarea is theextraordinarydiversity of itsclimate andl a n d s c a p ewhich spreadsacross morethan 80 mileslying between the areaaround Pamplona in thenorth and the Ebro Riverplain to the south.

Nava r ra en joys an exceptional location that ispractically unique in theIberian Peninsula and ismarked by the confluence ofthe Atlantic, Continental andMediterranean climates. Theproximity of the Bay ofBiscay, the influence of thePyrenees and the temperateinfluence of the Ebro valleyare all key factors in givingNavarra its unique range ofdifferent climates.

These climatic differencesmark the Nava r ran landscape where more than25,000 acres are dedicatedto the Designation of Originand are distributed across

T

ITEM #: V1213R2IS




26% Discount

Tempranillo/Merlot (Temp rah NEEYO/

Mare LOW)

2008

Javier AsensioNavarra, Spain

Color:Deep red

Nose:Vanilla, licorice and

black cherry

Palate:Ripe plum and dark berry

Finish:Concentrated, tannicwith plumy fruit

Alcohol:13.5%



VINTNERS SERIES

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attacks vines and destroyedvineyards around the world in the mid-19th century. Chile’s vineyards aretherefore planted with pureun-grafted vines, unlike therest of the world, whichrequires vines to be graftedwith phylloxera-resistantrootstocks.

The country’s four clearlymarked seasons present little risk of spring frosts. The pattern of rainfall is

ideal with littleprecipitation in thespring and almostnone during thesummer and earlyfall. This assuresoptimal conditionsof vine health andgrape maturitywith minimal useof pesticides.

Most wine regionsenjoy significantvariation between

daytime and nighttime temperatures. Daytime highs of up to 91° degreesencourage the production of sugar, color, aromas andfully ripe tannins. Whilenighttime lows of 59°degrees reduce any loss ofthose components and thecritical acids. The final resultis the production of grapeswith greater concentration.

This unoaked Chardonnaygives a lovely golden colorwith green tones, fresh innose with tropical fruits thatlead to a refreshing finishaccented with citrus notes.Pair with shrimp dishes withchallenging preparation likea serrano mint pesto, saladsor chicken empanadas.

iña Valdivieso datesback to 1879 whenAlberto Valdivieso

founded ChampagneValdivieso, the first companyin Chile and South Americato make sparkling wine.More than a hundred yearslater in the late 1980s, thecompany expanded in a newdirection when it begancommercial production ofst i l l wines, as ViñaValdivieso, in their CuricóValley winery in Lontué.

Valdivieso wineshave since had a very successfulcareer, triumphingin major worldmarket s andachieving thehighest honors ininternational com-petitions. Theseachievements arenot an objective inthemselves butrather the result of searching for superior quality wines that are bothdistinctive and attractive.

Lontué is part of the CuricóValley, one of Chile’s mostprestigious wine regions.Located 180 miles south of Santiago, Curicó’s, theMediterranean climate iswarm and dry during thesummer and receives themajority of the area’s rainfallduring the mild winters.

The geographic isolation of Chile´s wine regions bounded by the AtacamaDesert, the Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains andPatagonia form a barrieragainst pests and disease.Chile is one of the very fewplaces on Earth that is free ofphylloxera, the insect that

V

ITEM #: V1213W2IC




32% Discount


2013

ValdiviesoLontué, Chile

Color:Golden green

Nose:Fresh fruits

Palate:Slight with a hint

of citrus

Finish:Apple and vanilla

Alcohol:14%



Earlier VINTNERS SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!



VINTNERS SER

IES

V1013R1DC - Pinot Noir, 2009. Pig & Poke $25.99 $12.99 $155.88“Tart, sweet cherry with hints of spice”


V1013W1IG - Riesling, 2011. $19.99 $11.99 $143.88Losen-Bockstanz “Lovely apricot, lemon peel and nectarine”

V1013R2IR - Feteasca Neagra, 2010. $21.99 $11.99 $143.88Prahova “Leather and earth mixed with lots of spice”

V1013W2DW - Chardonnay, 2011. NXNW $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Citrus fruit, candied apple and papaya”

V1113R1IS - Mencia, 2011. Via Appia $22.99 $14.99 $179.88“Very clean grapey and cherry with soft tannins”

V1113W1DC - Chardonnay, 2010.Epilogue $21.99 $12.99 $155.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

V1113R2IU - Grenache, 2012. Wreak Havoc $18.99 $12.99 $155.88“Spice and blackberry abound with soft tannins”

V1113W2IC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2012. Mayu $18.99 $12.99 $155.88“Lovely ripeness with citrus and quince”

V1213R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010. $19.99 $13.99 $167.88Ruby Red “Cherry jam with hints of bacon bits”


V1213W1DC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. $18.99 $12.99 $155.88Messenger “Rich peach with a hint of spice”

V1213R2IS - Tempranillo Merlot, 2008. $18.99 $13.99 $167.88Javier Asensio “Ripe plum and dark berry”

V1213W2IC - Chardonnay, 2013. $18.99 $12.99 $155.88Valdivieso “Slight with a hint of citrus”


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J O I N T H E C O N V E R S A T I O N

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The appel lat ion AOCCostieres de Nimes wasgranted in 1989. Prior tothat, the wines were produced at the VDQS levelunder the Costieres du Gardtitle. Until 2004, the appella-tion was officially part of theLanguedoc wine region, butit’s now administered by theRhone regional wine boardin Avignon.

The Blend is 65% Syrah a n d 3 5%Grenache. Thegrapes comefrom 30 yearold vines andare given at r a d i t i o n a lwine makingmethod withthree weeks o f s l o w fermentation

to extract added color andbody. It is further aged inconcrete tanks, which helpcontrol the cool temperature.

He re i s a c l a ss i cMediterranean nose made of truffles and sherry. Richlytextured, yet refined andbalanced, the Syrah compo-nent dominates both thearomatics and flavors. TheGrenache adds the spice andfloral component whichtones down some of thegame of the Syrah. The wine is still round with soft tannins, blackberry, redfruits and licorice. It has along finish which is a great accompaniment tolamb and basil sausages orroast duck.

t is impossible to separate the Domain of Poulvarel from

Elizabeth and Pascal Glas, forgood reason. In 2004, theydecided to create their private cellar on family land.What might have seemedlike a crazy bet at this pointis now a well taken gamble.Pascal worked in wineries for25 years, which is whataccounts for the tremendousvintages of the Domain. It is consideredamong thefinest wineriesof the region.Their wine isthe perfectcombinat ionb e t w e e nstrength ands o f t n e s s ,authent i c i tyand elegance,power and voluptuousness.They refer to their craft ofcreating wines by listeningto nature and work accordingto its rhythm.

Poulvarel is located inSernhac, an ancient Saracenvillage. It is the most northern terroir of theCostières de Nîmes. It is theplace, near the Pont du Gard,where Elisabeth and PascalGlas decided to create theirDomaine. What could havelooked like a wild bet, hasbeen considerably successfulagainst odds. Elisabeth and Pascal combined theirstrength, their differences,their know-how and offerwines worthy of the besttables and regular ly mentioned by the interna-tional press.

I

ITEM #: L1213R1IF




35% Discount

Syrah/Grenache(See RAH/Gren ASCH )

2010

PoulvarelCostières de Nîmes,

France

Color:Deep purple

Nose:Blueberry, game

and earth

Palate:Earthy and gamey

with berry and cherry

Finish:Almost thick with lots of extract

Alcohol:14%



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L I M I T E DDECEMBER 2013


invested several years toproduce a yeast strain thatwill affect the weight andmouth feel of the winebesides fermenting thesugar into alcohol.

Valencia's association withwine dates back to Neolithictimes. Its exporters sendproducts from Valencia tomarkets all around theworld. Ancient writers havementioned the area's wineindustry in their writings.

V a l e n c i anative Arnaude Vilanova,b e c a m efamous forwriting a bookabout winetitled Liber deVinis in the13th century

While winehas played a role inValencia's economy for manyyears, it is only within thelast few centuries that thewine expo r t bus iness has grown in size and importance. Today, manyValencia wineries still produce wine mainly for theexport market, althoughtheir products are also popular with locals.

Our selection features a deepcherry red color and a powerful aroma of maturered fruit notes and touchesof anise and spice. Roundand velvety in the mouth,well structured with soft tannins, balanced acidity anda long finish this gem would be stunning withvenison tenderloin in a tartcranberry glaze.

u rv ied ro wasfounded in 1927 as a Spanish sub-

sidiary of the Swiss groupSchenk, one of the leadingbank conglomerates in theworld. Its ownership has fostered and promoted theircorporate values along witha philosophy of family andentrepreneurial drive. Thishas led them to produce highquality wines which havebeen recognized as one ofthe world’s top producers ofthe Valenciadenominationof or ig in. This brand ofS p a n i s haccent andinternationalp r o j e c t i o nkeeps its ownresearch as a t o o l t odevelop andcommercialize the bestwines.

Pablo Ossorio, winemaker ofMurviedro and head of theproject, is highlighting theimportance of the researchand technologies he uses to continue to grow and produce new techniques andmethodologies. This mindsetis crucial to the creation ofwines that are different andinteresting.

Bodegas Murviedro is thefirst winery to invest inresearch and the develop-ment of yeast strains inSpain. Ossario has beeninstrumental in discoveringand patenting a variety ofwines to market it world-wide. This wine project waspresented last June, alongwith his partners, and has

M

ITEM #: L1213R2IS




36% Discount

Tempranillo(Temp rah NEEYO)

2011

MurviedroAragón, Spain

Color:Deep Red

Nose:Spice and bing cherry

Palate:Ripe plum and licorice

Finish:Rich and moderatelytannic with ripe fruit

Alcohol:13%



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Blackburn wines representexceptional value. They arecreated to be shared andenjoyed with friends. Theybelieve that when goodwine goes around, greatthings come around. Whatcomes around here is a coolclimate Chardonnay withouta lot of oak to mess up theclean flavors.

Most Chardonnays fromCalifornia are not built to lastmore than two or threeyears. There are exceptionsand all of them come from

cooler climateareas such asM o n t e r e y .Monterey isconsidered thecoolest wine-growing regionin California. A c o o l e r climate allowsthe grapes tomature on the

vine for a longer period oftime, thus letting the rootsystem deposit more flavorsto the grapes.

This Chardonnay was selected from vineyardslocated at the base of theGavilan Range in MontereyCounty and aged in Frenchoak barrels, 25% of whichwere new. It is harvestedfrom blocks with rocky soilsthat benefit from morningfog and coastal afternoonbreezes. As a result of theseconditions, the grapes aregiven additional hang timeto develop full maturity.Accordingly, it is a pleasantlyfresh wine that finishes offclean and crisp. Enjoy together with some grilledfish, light chicken or pastadishes.

stablished in the newmillennial, Blackburnis dedicated to

producing food friendly,approachable wines frommature vineyards in theMonterey and Paso Roblesgrape-growing districts. Thevineyards were establishedin the 90’s putting them intheir prime at about the timethese grapes were picked.

The grapes for our selectioncome from Monterey County,a very cool grape growingarea of California that is bothgorgeous andu n i q u e .Picturesque ini t s na tu ra lbeauty, it’s anu n d u l a t i n g natural phe-nomenon thatbegins with therugged Pacificcoastline to the west andsegues to fertile valleysframed by ascending mountain ranges to the east. These lush valleys areknown for perfect grapegrowing conditions.

The Monterey County hasabundant sunshine by dayand cool ocean fog by night.The ancient alluvial soils givethis region a reputation ofproducing world-class wines.These alluvial soils are finelylayered, very deep and primarily recognized for creating exceptionally inexhaustible, grape growingconditions. With farmers whoare finely attuned to thisregion’s potential, grapesgrown here have a deliciousflavor profile.

Crafted by talented wine-makers in a modern facility,

E

ITEM #: L1213W3DC




30% Discount


2010

Blackburn Monterey, California

Color:Pale gold

Nose:Fresh apple and

vanilla

Palate:Rich pineapple with

a hint of spice

Finish:Apple and vanilla

Alcohol:14.4%



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L I M I T E DDECEMBER 2013


to extraordinary wines

obtained with selected

grapes throughout the

centuries. Their love for Italy

and its wines has led to the

composition during the years

of a collection of the greatest

varietal and regional wines.

Every year they select from

hundreds of wines in order

to make a severe selection of

which ones offer the best

qual i ty/pr ice

ratio and a

strong varietal

characteristic.

Their work

he lped to

maintain the

interest of all

those millions

of customers

who appreciate

true expressions of territory,

culture and history.

This classic grape varietal

from Venezie region in

Northern Italy is famed for

its clean, crisp whites and

produces a fresh white wine

with gentle acidity and an

intriguing intense fruitiness.

This is a pleasure to be drink

on its own or with a light

summer supper of grilled

chicken or fish.

he great love for

Italy and its wines

has led to the

Castellani family for over a

century to produce and extol

the virtues of Italy’s greatest

varietal and regional wines.

The Castellani’s business was

established in Montecalvoli

at the end of the 19th

century as Alfred, long-

standing wine grower,

decides to start bottling and

selling his wine.

In 1903, the

business is

officially regis-

tered at the

Chamber of

Commerce in

P i s a . S in ce

1903, the

C a s t e l l a n i

family has been

exporting its own finest

Estate wines from Tuscany.

They have changed and

evolved over the decades

but throughout the years,

the philosophy of their work

has remained consistent.

They hold true to the axiom

that the quality of the wine

begins in the vineyard as

their ancestors used to say

and it is still true today.

The geographic position of

Italy, a literal crossroad of

people and cultures with

its ecological and socio-

economic diversities defining

its regions, has given birth

T

ITEM #: L1213W4II




30% Discount

Pinot Grigio(PEE no Greegio)

2012

FerranteVenezie, Italy

Color:Golden

Nose:Guava, pear and roasted nuts

Palate:Lovely pear nuancewith honeysuckle

Finish:Very crisp with a touch of guava

Alcohol:12%



LIMITED

SERIES


Earlier LIMITED SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!


L1013R1IA - Pinot Noir, 2012. Patagonia $25.99 $15.99 $191.88“Fruity with hints of earth”

L1013W2IF - Chardonnay, 2011. $24.99 $14.99 $179.88Raphael Sallet “Fresh and crisp with a fruit concentration”

L1013R3IS - Mencia, 2011. Regina Viarum $25.99 $15.99 $191.88“Very clean grapey and cherry with soft tannins”

L1013W4IS - Albariño, 2012. Coral Do Mar $24.99 $14.99 $179.88“Asian pear and lychee”

L1113R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010. $24.99 $14.99 $179.88Wilson Daniels “Ripe berry and cedar”


L1113R2IS - Garnacha, 2012. Aldeya $22.99 $14.99 $179.88“Cherry and plum fruit characteristics with soft tannins”

L1113W3IC - Chardonnay, 2012. Merino $24.99 $14.99 $179.88“Slight with a hint of spice”

L1113W4IF - Viognier, 2012 Routas $23.99 $14.99 $179.88“Clean and crisp with lingering apple”

L1213R1IF - Syrah Grenache, 2010. $25.99 $16.99 $203.88Poulvarel “Earthy and gamey with berry and cherry”

L1213R2IS - Tempranillo, 2011. Murviedro $24.99 $15.99 $191.88“Ripe plum and licorice”

L1213W3DC - Chardonnay, 2010. Blackburn $22.99 $15.99 $191.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

L1213W4II - Pinot Grigio, 2012. Ferrante $22.99 $15.99 $191.88“Lovely pear nuance with honeysuckle”

MEM

BERS

Q

A. Here are a few worth seeking out. Spain has more grapes plantedthan any other country. It is third behind Italy and France in terms ofproduction because the soil and climate generally produce loweryields than the other two. Spain's superb reds from the Rioja andCatalonia can rival any country in all fields except recognition. It isbest known for the unique Sherries produced in the southwest partof the country.

Australia began its forays into wine at about the same time asCalifornia. Even without the scourge of Prohibition, Australialagged behind in the making of fine wines at the expense of inexpensive jug and bag-in-the-box offerings. Its vineyard sites, allin the Southern half of the country, are reaching their potential forproducing as fine a wine as any other country. The Syrah basedwines, labeled Shiraz, as well as many fine Cabernets andChardonnays are finally getting worldwide attention.

South America has made some of the biggest strides in fine wineby far. Chile and Argentina have been legitimate producers forhundreds of years. The intense interest, especially from majorFrench and American companies, makes wine connoisseursexcited about what the possibilities will be in the next century.

South Africa began its wine industry when it was colonized by the Dutch in the late 1600s. Because of sanctions to thecountry due to its apartheid policy, South African wines ceasedto be imported into the U.S. in the mid 1970’s. South Africa has one of the most temperate climates on Earth and many ofits producers have been around for hundreds of years. Be prepared for superb wines from places like Stellenbosch andPaarl to sit proudly alongside those from Napa, Santa Barbara,Chianti and Burgundy.

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

“Paul, we’ve heard about the fine wines of France, Germanyand Italy. What other countries produce fine wines?”

~ S. A., Costa Mesa, CA

Q&A


21

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.


Shipping & handling included*

B. Vintners Series Gift MembershipThe most recent addition to our family at Wine ofthe Month Club, the Vintners Series gives your giftrecipient an opportunity to experience wines in aprice range that offers a wider variety of grapes andgrowing regions. First shipment arrives in a hand-some burgundy linen gift box and is accompaniedby a personalized gift card.



C. Limited Series Gift MembershipIf your gift recipient appreciates the delicate subtleties of a fine premium wine, the exceptionalspecial occasion selections you’ll find in theLimited Series are bound to please. First shipmentarrives in a handsome burgundy linen gift boxand is accompanied 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:

Pork Roast with Marsala

Ingredients:

¼ cup olive oil1 tsp. crushed red chili flakes8 cloves garlic, finely chopped3 cups fish stock1 ½ cups whole peeled tomatoes in juice, crushed10 leaves basil1 lb. cod, cut into 2″ chunks1 lb. cleaned calamari, bodies cut into ½″-wide rings12 oz. medium shrimp, deveined12 oz. bay scallops16 clams, cleaned16 mussels, cleaned2 2-lb. Dungeness crabs or snow crab legs, halvedKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cioppino

Ingredients:1 cup dried chestnuts Fine sea salt 1 (2-pound) boneless pork loin roast 2 (1/4-inch-thick) slices flat pancetta or slab bacon,

cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick strips 4 bay leaves, preferably fresh 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/4 cups dry Marsala wine 1 1/4 cups whole milk 1 cup beef broth Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

- Tasting Journal -

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23

TASTIN

G JO

URNAL

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

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Newsletter written by: Ed Masciana, Wine Author

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

Wines evaluated last month: 287 • Rejected: 243 • … · Wines evaluated last month: 287 •...

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Transcript of Wines evaluated last month: 287 • Rejected: 243 • … · Wines evaluated last month: 287 •...