JANUARY 2014 O P W a E V U N G E L E
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Wines evaluated last month: 274 • Rejected: 44 • Approved: 230 • Selected: 12 JANUARY 2014 Whathat’s’s New ThiThiss MMonth?onth? have had many calls. Many requests. Many “what are you going to do’s?”. Anyone that has read the Huffington Post about the I global wine shortage is asking. And frankly, I haven’t read the article myself. You see, we What’s New This Mhavonte beh?en in the wine industry in California for as New long as it has been popular (the 1970’s) and we have heard and seen it before. Yes, there is possible a global shortage of wine because of the 4 owza….What a season. Chinese…they are becoming prolific consumers 1 You guys almost wore 0 us out…but that is of wine. They also mix it with Coke. Ugh. Barring 2 fine…I hope you all had Y that, this will not and does not affect us. They like R W a Merry Christmas and A Happy Holidays. I am so grateful to buy the ultra-fancy or sheer plunk (after all, U to all our loyal members and N after you put the coke in, who cares?). And that customers. It is such an honor to A J serve you and provide the service is really not the main reason we won’t see their that you have come to expect and enjoy. We are here for your consumption effects. We deal with small houses, needs and enjoyment (though I small makers of wines that never make it out of have to admit, tasting all these wines is my pleasure). California sometimes. We deal with wineries that sell all that they make in the states…i.e. the So what about 2014? I know that my resolutions contains the world demand does not affect them nor us. following: Listen more, talk less (can’t we all learn that lesson); Everyone is thinking they can retire on the continue on with my regime of Chinese wine bubble…I heard from a supplier in more vegetables and fruit, less meat (I did lose 35lbs and have Chile that they only buy wines that they can get managed to keep it off) and to by the container load for the equivalent of give off the joy that Christmas Eve brings all year round. $1.50/bottle…ouch. Folks, rest assured we are in good shape and in fact, I am finding the exact opposite right now…we have lots to choose from Paul Kalemkiarian Owner/Cellarmaster and lots of good wine coming. Salud! INSIDE THE TASTING ROOM THIS MONTH What’s new 2 Facebook 14 Classic Series: Suspicion Cabernet Sauvignon 3 Limited Series: Sendero Royal Tempranillo 15 Classic Series: Sachet Chardonnay 4 Limited Series: Titus Lombardi Cab. Sauv. 16 Classic Series: Torrevieja Malbec 5 Limited Series: Pouilly sur Loire Chasselas 17 Classic Series: Albamar Chardonnay 6 Limited Series: Bianchi Sauvignon Blanc 18 Classic Series Earlier Selections 7 Limited Series Earlier Selections 19 Cellar Notes 8 For Members Only 20 Vintners Series: Kunza Reserve Carmenere 9 Gifts & More 21 Vintners Series: Marlo Chardonnay 10 Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Moroccan Spices 22 Vintners Series: Marlo Cabernet Sauvignon 11 Recipe: Seafood Soup 22 Vintners Series: Haus Creek Chenin Blanc/Sauv. 12 Tasting Notes 23 Vintners Series Earlier Selections 13 The Cork Board 24 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 2 J A CLASSIC N U Featured in the A CALIFORNIA WINE SERIES R Y 2 0 1 he grapes for our vineyard soils but seems to 4 Suspicion label were thrive in soils with a high T grown on a small concentration of limestone, vineyard, only 4 1/2 acres, having the potential to in the Calaveras County produce elegant wines with appellation of the Sierra forceful aromas. In the Foothills. It is made from Bordeaux region of France, 100% Sangiovese grapes especially the village of harvested by hand, Pauillac, Cabernet Sauvignon fermented dry and aged thrives on the highly infused in oak for two years. The shale-clay soil known as C warm days and cool nights Galestro, similar to the high L A are just like what this grape Sierras. The grape requires a Cabernet S is used to in its native lands, long growing season, as it S Sauvignon I Chianti located buds early and C (Kab air NAY Soe ving YAHN) S in the Tuscan is slow to ripen. E hills of Italy. 2009 R I When properly Our selection is E S grown, it produced from Suspicion Sierra Foothills, produces a rich, Cabernet grapes California full-bodied procured from wine of intense several select Color: color and flavor. vineyards in the Dark purple This selection is Sierra Foothills, Nose: truly a tribute to its great California’s most up and Earth, licorice and Italian heritage. coming wine appellation. black cherry This area is considered the Palate: There is also limited rainfall Central Valley but shares a Ripe berry and plum here. As a result, the grapes more temperate climate often ripen under water with Napa as the cool Finish: stress. By virtue of the breezes from San Pablo Bay Concentrated, tannic vineyard’s elevation, the producing a much cooler with plummy fruit grapes must make up for growing condition than any Alcohol: most of that lack of area in its proximity. 13.4% precipitation with generally cooler temperatures, better This superb Cabernet Drink now ventilation and more hours Sauvignon has true varietal through 2015 of sunlight. With a higher character, great depth, temperature sum and a final intense flavor and a soft stage of grape ripening in tannin structure. Enjoy WOMC RATING the latter half of September superlative flavors of black 94 Points and early October, these cherry jam, bacon bits, are ideal weather conditions coffee and dark chocolate. It ITEM #: C0114R1DC for this grape. is an absolute must with Retail Price: $18.99/each prime rib or rack of lamb. Member Price: $10.98/each Cabernet Sauvignon has shown itself to be adaptable Reorder Price: $7.99/each to many different types of 58% Discount 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 3 4 1 CLASSIC 0 2 Y R A U N A orn and raised in d'Asti wines of Piedmonte, a J Santa Barbara, Sachet wine made with the Moscato B owner Peter Price’s Bianco grape varietal. It is activities include racing slightly sweet and is used sailboats, rock climbing, for both an aperitif and a riding mountain bikes and dessert wine. motorcycles and backpacking in the hills above Santa Craig and Peter searched Barbara. While attending Cal every appellation in Poly San Luis Obispo he was California looking for a stricken with the “Wine vineyard that would produce Bug”, an incurable, non life- the essence of Chardonnay S threatening illness that he they were looking for. They E I battled by spending free found it in the Monterey R Chardonnay E (Shar doe NAY) time hanging out at wineries appellation with its fossilized S in the Paso seashell soil, C 2010 I Robles Wine cool coastal S region. The conditions and S Sachet long growing A rest, as they Monterey, California L say, is history. season. A C Color: vineyard that Pale gold Winemaker, produces Craig Reed, heavenly Nose: started his aromas and Fresh apple career in the complex and vanilla wine business flavors, this Palate: at the age of 17 mowing the Chardonnay is crafted to Rich pineapple with lawn at the Martin Brothers allow the natural expression a hint of spice Winery in Paso Robles. At the of the grape to shine. This is age of 20, he became reminiscent of our favorite Finish: Assistant Winemaker under wines from Burgundy region Apple and vanilla Nick Martin's tutelage and of France, which is what Alcohol: three years later became Chardonnay should be. 13.5% wine director and crafted top Monterey is quite unique in scoring wines in his first that regard as its jutting nose vintage. This is a classic into the Pacific also protects story of a self-driven, cellar the vineyards from the trained winemaker with inlands hot air. When Drink now a palate and nose for combined with the incredible through 2014 producing well-made wines. soil, wines of distinction are This year Craig will celebrate the norm here, not the his 25th vintage at the exception. WOMC RATING age of 42. 94 Points Our selection has an aroma Craig is known throughout of apple, melon and pear America as the Godfather of with a crisp mineral ITEM #: C0114W1DC Moscato having crafted this character. Its crisp acidity and Retail Price: $19.99/each unique wine for over 20 lovely spice component Member Price: $10.98/each years. It all started with would be perfect with seared Craig's extensive travels scallops in a light tomato Reorder Price: $6.99/each throughout Italy and his saffron sauce. 65% Discount discovery of the Moscato 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 4 J A CLASSIC N U A R Y 2 0 1 orrevieja means make Argentine wines worth 4 “old tower” in seeking out. The warmer T Spanish. The winery regions and lower altitudes is actually in a 100-year- make for riper, rounder and old tower, now equipped fleshier wines with up-front with modern winemaking fruit and softer tannins. equipment. It is a 90 year old They tend to be cheerful, winery using grapes from easy-going wines. Although vines that are even older, Malbec's origins are in some over 100 years old. Bordeaux's illustrious vine - This is what accounts for yards, the grape variety is the tremendous flavors in at its pinnacle of quality in C their offerings.