The Tasting Room Wines Evaluated Last Month: 302 • Rejected: 257 • Approved: 45

JANUARY 2019 THE TASTING ROOM WINES EVALUATED LAST MONTH: 302 • REJECTED: 257 • APPROVED: 45

Confessions of a Wine Taster Last week, I sat down to write my Instagram posts, Facebook posts, Twitter tweets and Instagram stories. What a digital world we live in. In literally a matter of months, marketing has made dramatic changes. But what I have realized is that marketing is not the clicks and attempts to fool Google…not at all. Though the plethora of consultants that have invaded the digital marketplace is ten times what it was 24 months ago, they all seem to be experts on what buttons to click, yet not on what message to promote. When I explain how this company works and how we get our wines and how we produce the value we do, they revert to what buttons I should be clicking. They don’t get it.

So here it is: My job is to find you the best wines I can find for the club you are in. Notice I said MY job, not the job of a panel, not the job of a 1099 employee, not the job of a broker, MY job. My name is on the selections; I take the responsibility. And since I have been tasting each Tuesday (without fail unless I am out of town) for the past 30 years…I think I get it (that was sarcastic…I get it). continued on next page >> Paul Kalemkiarian, Owner/Cellarmaster Membership in the Wine of the Month Club is open to anyone with an @WineoftheMonthClub @WineoftheMonth interest in and appreciation for superb wines... and excellent wine values. Membership is FREE. WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB • 123 W POMONA AVE, MONROVIA, CA 91016 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 Caption caption caption caption caption caption << continued from previous page I do this for my members. I do this to present the best product for the best value I can find. I do this as a rep- resentation of my family and company. The funny thing is, this club started as (and still is) a service - not a way to sell more bottles, but a way that customers of my father’s store could feel confident when taking the wines of the month to the sales counter. In other words…it was like walking into Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits and saying “What do you recommend, Paul?”

We have been rating wines longer than most of the wine periodicals that are famous now. And the difference is that we not only rate, but sell the wines as well. So I ask this question: If you went to the store and bought a highly rated wine based on a periodical and you tasted it at home and were not impressed, what would you do? Go back to the store and say, “I don’t agree with the rating and I want my money back”? Not likely… But with me… I will take it back and find you something you DO like. Salud,

Paul Kalemkiarian Owner/Cellarmaster

Flashback A look back at some stellar selections with Ed Masciana April 1975 Selection of California Wine Zinfandel, 1972. Sutter Home - $3.85/fifth (757 ml) Most people don’t know that Sutter Home was making some of the best Zinfandel in California BEFORE they made White Zinfandel. This one was fabulous, and they still make one of the best, except now it’s under their Terra d’Oro label.

April 1975 Selection of Imported Wine Etna Bianco, 1971. Villagrande - $3.79/fifth (757 ml) I was shocked to see this wine featured back in 1975. I didn’t even know where Etna was at the time, but since then I’ve discovered this most unique area in the world of grapes. The vineyards are planted in Sicily on an active volcano - which makes things not only delicious, but precarious. More interesting is that the E.U. has a special fund for the wineries on Etna. If the volcano erupts and the vineyards are burned at the stake, the fund will help the farmers replant. It’s the only area that is funded like that. Pretty cool.

www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 BACKHOUSE 2016 PINOT NOIR 95 points California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ PEE • noh NWAR ”

Backhouse is produced by O’Neill Vintners, founded in 2004 COLOR by Jeff O’Neill. His winemaking roots go back to Prohibition. Medium Cherry O’Neill has proven that big isn’t bad, as they craft wine for many of the world’s leading beverage alcohol companies and brand owners. Today, O’Neill Vintners has grown to become the 8th largest U.S. winery and has earned a reputation as one of the NOSE premier custom wine producers in California - or anyplace else. Cotton Candy Winemaker Mark Rasmussen began his career in 1977 and became head winemaker at Sebastiani in 1986. He earned an undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley and a graduate PALATE degree in Food Science/Enology from Fresno State University. Cherry, Mint You might say that food and wine is in Mark’s blood and you’d be right.

FINISH Mark is the reason we can get a quality Pinot Noir, at this price, from grapes grown in Clarksburg and Lodi. Pinot Noir is a cool- Lovely, Lively Spice climate grape, and these areas are considered not cool enough. Mark, however, knew that the soil in these areas was perfect for Pinot, and used his skill as a grape grower to train the vines so PAIRING that the sun would not sit directly on the grapes and overripen Salmon, Game, Fowl them. This is one of his first efforts, and it is nothing less than stellar.

Everything you could want in a great Pinot Noir is here except CELLAR the price. Lilting candy and mint in the nose, sweet/tart cherry Now through 2025 and spice on the palate and a perfect finish just screams for grilled salmon, rack of lamb or duck breast seared with a green peppercorn sauce. Item ID: C0119R1DC MSRP: $15.40 Member Price: $12.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $7.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 SOULSTRUCK 2016 GRENACHE BLANC 98 points Santa Barbara County, California 13.7 % Alcohol by Volume “ gren • NOSH BLONK ”

In the 1970s, Walt Babcock, a dentist from Long Beach, California, COLOR purchased a piece of property with his wife, Mona, in the Santa Ynez Valley for future retirement. Then someone came along and Medium Gold told him it could be a nice place to grow grapes. The advice was good, and he took it.

Their first full harvest was in 1983, and they shopped their grapes NOSE to a few local winemakers (probably all of 12 at that time). A few White Peach took the chance on an unproven vineyard’s grapes, which led to one of them taking a Gold Medal at the Orange County Fair for their Chardonnay.

PALATE So, the Babcocks figured they’d try their hand at winemaking Peach, Lime Zest themselves. Their son, Bryan, was at Occidental College studying Biology and Chemistry at the time, and soon applied to get his master’s in Enology at U.C. Davis. The next vintage is when things FINISH got crazy. Lively Lime 1984 was a vintage where everything ripened at once. None of the local winemakers had time for Walt. I’m imagining Walt’s conversation with his son went something like this: “You’ve got to come here and make the wine now!” And Bryan said, “I haven’t PAIRING graduated.” And Walt said, “Tell that to the grapes.” Seafood, Fowl, And so, it was. And it was good, and it’s been great ever since. Light Meats Bryan has made a mark in the wine industry like few others. He’s created some of the best wines in the state, and our selection is CELLAR right up there. Now through 2022 Grenache Blanc has taken off in this region, and this wine is one of the reasons. Absolutely stunning flavors of stone fruit and grapefruit with a fabulous finish. Item ID: C0119W1DC MSRP: $16.99 Member Price: $12.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $6.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 HESS 97 SHIRTAIL RANCHES points 2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON North Coast, California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ CAB • burr • NAY SAW • veen • YON “ If I had to pick one word to describe the Hess Winery in Napa COLOR Valley, it would have to be historic. The building that houses the Medium Magenta winery was built in 1900. The vineyards had been planted a few years before that – in the late 1800s. That’s early for California winemaking!

NOSE The winery building (now a historical monument) was sold to Violets, Sweet Cherry the Christian Brothers in 1930 and became the headquarters for Brother Timothy, one of the most renowned winemakers in the state. Little did they know then that the hallowed ground on which they planted grapes would later be called Mount PALATE Veeder, one of the most revered appellations in Napa. Rich Berry, Spice For over 50 years, Brother Timothy and his “band of Brothers” dazzled the wine trade with their outstanding wines. When FINISH Timothy retired in 1986, the building retired as well. It was sold to Donald Hess, a Swiss industrialist with international holdings Long, Extracted and one of the most renowned art collections in the world. The winery was called The Hess Collection in deference to Donald’s extensive art treasures. PAIRING Red Meat, Game Of course, it was the wine that made it famous. And it was Cabernet Sauvignon that led the charge. Out of the gate, Hess Cabernet was considered one of the best in Napa and our selection is no exception. CELLAR Now through 2025 This beauty hails from the North Coast, still one of the best kept secrets in wine. Clean, penetrating and classic flavors of spice and berry abound, and the finish goes on forever. Item ID: C0119R2DC MSRP: $21.99 Member Price: $12.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $7.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 HESS 96 SHIRTAIL RANCHES points 2017 CHARDONNAY California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ SHAR • doh • NAY “ Donald Hess grew up in Switzerland, the son of a successful COLOR entrepreneur whose trade included hotels, breweries and Limpid Straw apples. When his father passed away rather suddenly, Donald took over the business at a very young age and grew it into an extremely successful enterprise. NOSE When he came to the Napa Valley in 1978, Donald was immediately struck by its beauty and potential. He purchased Green Apple, Citrus 900 acres in Mount Veeder, with 600 acres reserved for wildlife preservation and sustainable fishing farms. PALATE In 1986, Donald purchased the famous Christian Brothers winery. This was to become his winery, which he named The Asian Pear Hess Collection because it also houses his very highly regarded art collection. FINISH Donald quickly established his winery as one of the premiere institutions in Napa. His first vintages from 1986 were the talk Apple, Pear of the wine industry. The newcomer had wasted no time in making a reputation for himself.

Donald Hess retired in 2011 and the 5th generation Hess is now PAIRING providing the leadership. Nothing has changed. The wines are Seafood, Vegetarian as great as ever.

Though Donald Hess was known for Cabernet, it was his Chardonnays that turned heads. And they’re still turning. Our CELLAR selection is a superb wine sourced from Monterey, whose Now through 2022 distinctive soil imparts wonderful aromas in this Chardonnay. Lovely spice and apple are the order of the day here, along with a stunning, citrusy finish. Item ID: C0119W2DC MSRP: $16.99 Member Price: $12.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $6.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 COLONIAL 2015 PINOT NOIR 97 points Willamette Valley, Oregon 13.2 % Alcohol by Volume “ PEE • noh NWAR “

A funny thing happened on the way to the winery. The grapes COLOR came in, but the winemaker didn’t. Exactly what happened is still Medium Magenta a mystery, but at least these sensational grapes were made into sensational wine.

Oregon’s Willamette Valley has been known for great Pinot Noir NOSE for decades. It’s also unfortunately known for inclement weather, Cotton Candy, which can ruin a vintage in an instant. Things have changed here Cherry like the climate. The Willamette Valley is now having great vintage after great vintage, and 2015 may be one of the best yet.

PALATE Pinot Noir is a very finicky grape. The weather and soil must be to Cherry, Spice its liking or it just won’t produce great wine. But when it does, the wine is incomparable.

And that’s what we have here. Pinots from the Willamette Valley FINISH have more of a kinship to the Holy Grail of wine areas, Burgundy, An Eternal Swirl than to any other place. Some would say it is heresy to even compare Burgundy to anywhere, except that you have to suffer through ten bad ones to get a great one and, quite frankly, some of us are quite tired of this exercise. PAIRING Fowl, Seafood, This rare beauty has it all. The brilliant, magenta signals the lovely Vegetarian aromatics of cotton candy, strawberry/rhubarb pie, cinnamon and clove. The mouth exhibits a sensual swirl of the aromas on the palate adding flecks of mint and cherry. CELLAR Now through 2025 The finish doesn’t really finish, as it lasts for minutes on the tongue and probably a lifetime in the heart.

Item ID: V0119R1DO MSRP: $24.00 Member Price: $17.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $12.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 PUJOL IZARD LES CAPITELLES 96 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC points I.G.P. Coteaux de Peyriac, France 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ SAW • veen • YON BLONK ”

Pujol Izard is located in the Coteaux de Peyriac, in the heart of COLOR the Languedoc region. It’s housed in a medieval castle that was Very Pale Straw built during the reign of Napoleon. The château is a union of two winemaking families who decided to unite their skills by creating a 200-acre winery. NOSE Three winemakers, brothers Jean-Claude and Yves Pujol and their friend from childhood, André Izard, joined hands and Jasmine, hearts to create Pujol Izard. Orange Peel The winery has been completely organic since its planting in 1998. No chemicals have been used there, which means PALATE the vineyard is as pristine as possible. This process is more Engaging Peach, expensive to implement in the first place, but ends up paying Fresh Herbs dividends in the future. Chemicals are very expensive and keep getting more so every year. FINISH For thousands of years, the Languedoc was red wine country. Peach and Citrus The closest they got to white was a great Rosé. But today, there are exceptional whites from there, of which this is a perfect example. PAIRING Our selection is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Chardonnay. The grapes are picked at night so that the Seafood, Vegetarian grapes arrive at the winery in perfectly cool conditions. This is important because the heat of the sun, even after harvest, will continue to build sugar in the grape. CELLAR As a result, you have the perfect harmony of soil and sun to Now through 2022 produce a clean, crisp and exciting offering, with fruit and flavor to spare. The piquant acidity could stand up to scallops, lobster or black cod. Item ID: V0119W1IF MSRP: $22.00 Member Price: $17.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $11.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 1790 98 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON points Paso Robles, California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ CAB • burr • NAY SAW • veen • YON “

Our selection is crafted by Austerity Vineyards in Monterey. It is COLOR in the O’Neill family of wineries, which has come to mean that Very Dark Violet the wine will always be great - with superstar winemaker Mark Rasmussen at the helm - and also a great value.

These guys are as smart and savvy as they come in the wine NOSE business. They won’t even try to grow Cabernet Sauvignon in Monterey, even though it’s the most popular red grape in the Cherry, Licorice, world. Vanilla But just down the road a piece is a place called Paso Robles, PALATE and that area is making some of the best Cabernet on the planet. So, that’s where O’Neill decided to plant their Cabernet Dense Cherry, Sauvignon vineyard and, as we like to say, it was good! Great Blackberry grapes and a great winemaker equals great wine. FINISH Paso Robles is one of the most unique wine-producing regions in California. It gets hot - really hot - but so do parts of Napa and Large and Lovely Sonoma. At night, though, Paso Robles gets quite cold - way colder than Napa and Sonoma in the summer.

Why does that matter? Well, when it’s hot, the vine produces PAIRING sugar. If it’s still hot at night, it’s still producing sugar, but at a Red Meat lower rate. If it’s really cold, the vine stops producing sugar. So, what you have in Paso Robles is a longer growing season. And more time on the vine translates to much more intensity of CELLAR flavor in the grapes. Now through 2025 And this wine is full of flavor. From the ripe cherry, licorice and earth, to the dense middle and exhilarating finish, it pleases at every level. Light the BBQ and enjoy! Item ID: V0119R2DC MSRP: $19.00 Member Price: $17.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $12.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 SURF SWIM 2016 CHARDONNAY 94 points California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ SHAR • doh • NAY ”

Back in 1985, Alex Guarachi came to the U.S. from Chile to play COLOR soccer, but an injury changed his course. Living near Napa and Sonoma Counties, he saw an opportunity to teach local wine Medium Straw lovers about his beloved South American wines. Alex started by becoming a salesman, importer and advocate for a wine that most people had never heard of.

NOSE Those of us who had heard of Malbec had tasted the French Tropical Fruit, version and thought it was awful. So, how good could the same Apple grape be when it came from Argentina? Well, “surprised” doesn’t go far enough. Stupefied would probably handle it better.

PALATE I’ve never seen a wine become so popular so fast as Argentinian Medium Body Malbec. It was delicious, hilariously inexpensive and incredibly consistent. In other words, all the things you want in a wine. Then Alex tried to sell another grape people had never heard of, from Chile, called Carménère. By this time, his track record FINISH was established and there was no doubt he had found another Lovely Green Apple winner.

Alex’s success allowed him to build a winery in Napa and make his own wines, never forgetting his roots and the things that PAIRING made him successful. He continued to provide great wines at Seafood, Fowl great prices.

Who says you can’t have a little fun in the process? Surf Swim Chardonnay is that fun. From the cooler regions of California’s CELLAR coast, where the surf is always up, comes this delicious offering. Now through 2020 On the nose and on the tongue, it’s a swirl of lovely, piquant apple and tropical flavors, with hints of lime and spice, finishing with a flourish. Have it with a fun time. Item ID: V0119W2DC MSRP: $18.00 Member Price: $17.48 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $11.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 NOBILISSIMA 96 2016 SANGIOVESE points Chianti D.O.C.G., Italy 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ SAN • jyoh • VAY • say ”

Nobilissima inhabits the hallowed ground of Chianti, one of COLOR Italy’s most prized grape-growing regions. The winery was Bright Crimson established in 1908 by Giovanni Cielo and continues to this day, with the fourth generation Cielo now in control.

Like most family operations, they started with a small plot NOSE of land and, as they succeeded in growing and selling their Black Cherry, grapes, they added to their acreage. As the demand for their Leather, Earth grapes increased, they were able to construct a small winery in the 1960s and build it into a sizable business.

PALATE They were still grape growers who sold most of their grapes Cherry but kept the best for themselves. A practice that has been a tradition for centuries. In this case, it is making their wine from 100% Sangiovese. Until FINISH 1985, this was outlawed. If you wanted to call your wine Chianti, you had to use a blend of grapes, including white. The formula Lovely Cherry, was decided upon over 100 years earlier, and that was the law. Soft Tannins But eventually the law had to be changed, because it was PAIRING obvious that the white grapes only detracted from the star of Game, Fowl, the show, Sangiovese. Red Meat This wine is every reason why Sangiovese is a star. The unmistakable aromas of black cherry and earth mix with the CELLAR leather and spice to present an endless swirl of flavors that Now through 2026 seem to never end. Trying this wine with the grilled meats of the area is absolute bliss.

Item ID: L0119R1II MSRP: $25.00 Member Price: $22.98 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $15.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 SERBAL 2018 MALBEC 95 points Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina 14.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ MALL • beck ”

Serbal wines are produced at the Atamisque Winery in COLOR Mendoza, Argentina. John Du Monceau fell in love with the long- Very Dark established winery and decided to settle there, from his home in France, with his wife Chantal. Now John owns the winery and Chantal designs Atamisque’s distinctive labels.

NOSE John hired winemaker Philippe Caraguel, who had a background Black Cherry, in enology in Argentina, as well as in Montpellier, France. He is Licorice one of only three winemakers in Argentina to have studied in Montpellier, France’s premiere school for enology.

PALATE The 160-acre winery is located in Tupungato, one of the finest Dense Berry, grape-growing regions in Mendoza. The vineyards are 50 years Chocolate old and sit at an altitude of 4,000 feet above sea level. The history of wine in this area goes back to the 1600s, when FINISH Jesuit missionaries from Europe brought grapes and wine culture to the area. Their legacy has obviously flourished. Bold And no grape has flourished here like Malbec. It is no less than a revelation. It’s easy to understand when you taste it. Argentinian PAIRING Malbecs are nothing short of spectacular, and this beauty is no Red Meat exception.

The intense blackberry and sweet/tart cherry comes at you from all directions. First, the unforgettable nose, followed by the CELLAR uncompromising palate, and finally the spectacular finish. The Now through 2030 tannins stop just short of the pain threshold, but there’s enough there to know you have just consumed something very special.

Item ID: L0119R2IA MSRP: $23.99 Member Price: $22.98 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $15.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 DOM. SAINT FIRMIN 2015 ANANDA 96 VIOGNIER/GRENACHE BLANC points A.O.C. Duché d’Uzès, France 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ vee • OHN • yay / gren • NOSH BLONK”

This selection is one of those rare instances where the “curator” COLOR is as much of a story as the wine. That’s the new buzzword now. Medium Straw People with incredible knowledge and experience in the wine business curate wines they find in remote places. Why? Because they are among the few people who can interest others in novel NOSE wine finds purely because of who they are. Floral, Hints of Doug Margerum is such a curator. I’d need a lot more room to Peach tell you his whole story, but suffice to say that Doug is one of the most influential and respected people in the wine business. PALATE Weighty White Doug owned a destination restaurant called The Wine Cask, in Stone Fruit Santa Barbara, that just about everybody in the wine business knew. The food was incredible, the wine list extraordinary, but more importantly, Doug single-handedly put the Santa Barbara FINISH wine industry on the map. He engineered tastings and even pre- Lively Citrus sells, which had never been done before. He knew how great this region was and wanted everyone else to know as well.

So, when Doug says “Hey I got this great wine from Duché PAIRING d’Uzès, France,” the first thing people ask is “When can we taste Shellfish, Fowl, it?” - not “Where is Duché d’Uzès?” For the record, it’s about eight Vegetarian miles northeast of Avignon, home to Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

This blend of Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne is CELLAR mesmerizing in its charm and presence, with lovely hints of Now through 2021 stone fruit, lilac and jasmine. The finish is penetrating, with a long citrus edge

Item ID: L0119W3IF MSRP: $24.99 Member Price: $22.98 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $13.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 RARIGA 2014 RIESLING 96 points Small Carpathian Viticultural Area P.D.O., Slovakia 12.7 % Alcohol by Volume “ REE • sling “

To say that we love featuring wines like this would be an COLOR understatement. After all, how many wines from Modra have Limpid Straw you tried? For those of you without immediate access to an atlas, it’s in Slovakia, roughly 100 miles north of Budapest. Father and son duo, Marek and Igor Rariga, founded the winery in 2003. NOSE Flowers, Apricot From the very beginning, their goal was to respect the soil on which their grapes are grown. Their climate is similar to Germany, so it was not too much of a stretch to decide to plant Riesling. PALATE Heady Apricot Their respect for the soil germinated into a totally organic vineyard. So much so that even the herbal mixture they use to ward off harmful pests is actually grown on the property. That would be a first for us. FINISH Superb Citrus Riesling is one of the four noble grapes, along with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The term refers to the natural tendency of these four varietals to produce less clusters than any other grape. All other varietals need to be cut back PAIRING much more to inhibit production, otherwise the grapes would Seafood, Game, extract less from the soil and be fairly tasteless as a result. Vegetarian Our selection is textbook Riesling with all the sensuality and charisma that only this grape can bring. The nose is fresh cut CELLAR flowers, flecks of clove and apricot. The palate soars with peach Now through 2024 and pear, lime, apricot and melon. It finishes with all of them held in check with a lasting hint of the soil from which it came.

Item ID: L0119W4IK MSRP: $23.99 Member Price: $22.98 CLUB SELECTION Reorder Price: $13.99 www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 TASTING NOTES

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Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 Recipes Cellar Notes

Andouille Sausage A report on how previous selections are faring with Serves: 6-8 age. Obtained from actual tastings of wines under optimal storage conditions. INGREDIENTS 3 lbs. boneless pork butt, cut into 1/2-inch pieces CLASSIC SERIES 3 Tbsp. paprika 1 Tbsp. minced garlic January 2017: 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Shiraz, 2015. Oak Grove Family Reserve. 2 tsp. salt Ready. 1/2 tsp. allspice Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Pepi. Drink. 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. cayenne pepper Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. Babcock. Per- 1 Tbsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. dried thyme fect now. PREPARATION Sauvignon Blanc, 2013. Bon Marche. Drink. Place pork in freezer for 30 minutes. Remove and then place in meat grinder. Use fine grind. Place in January 2018: bowl and add rest of ingredients. Mix well. If you want to make actual sausages, you will need casing. Red Wine, 2016. Hermoso Hermosa. Still The only place to get that is at a butcher shop. You’ll need about 6 feet. You will also need a funnel to great. stuff the meat into the casing. If you use casing, rinse it under water through the funnel, then run red Viognier, 2016. Oak Grove Family Reserve. wine and then olive oil. Tie the end and start filling with your thumb. Use a pin to prick the casing as it will expand from the air. Drink up. If this is too much, which it is, you can make patties and be done. Or, you can carefully wrap in plastic Cabernet Blend, 2014. Admirable. At its best. wrap in the shape of a sausage and steam for 20 minutes. Pinot Grigio, 2015. Si. Ready. Whichever you choose, mixing with peppers and onions is a wonderful dish or tossing everything with pasta is also delicious. VINTNERS SERIES January 2017: Serve with Backhouse Pinot Noir, Colonial Pinot Noir or Nobilissima Chianti. Merlot Cabernet, 2015. Grand Louis. Still great. Lobster Bisque Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Michael David. Serves: 4 Ready. INGREDIENTS Syrah, 2011. Burgess. At its best. 1/2 lb. lobster meat (cut into small chunks) Chardonnay, 2015. Tarrica. Drink. 1 garlic clove, smashed 1/2 onion, chopped January 2018: 1 bay leaf Pinot Noir, 2013. Highland Project. Perfect 1 tomato, chopped now. 2 shallots (minced) Sauvignon Blanc, 2016. Burnside. Ready. 1/4 cup white wine 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. paprika Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014. For A Song. 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce 2 Tbsp. tomato paste Drink or hold. 1 tsp. dried thyme 2 cups half & half (or 1 cup half & half and 1 cup Blanco, 2016. Carlos Serres. Perfect. 2 Tbsp. dry sherry lobster stock) PREPARATION LIMITED SERIES If you buy the lobster meat by itself, most likely you will just use the 2 cups of half & half for the bisque, January 2017: unless you can find good lobster stock that isn’t over-salted (as most are). If you’re using fresh lobsters, Zinfandel/Syrah, 2013. Highlander. Still to get 1/2 a pound of meat, you will need 2 lobsters, 1 to 1 1/4 pounds each. Place the lobsters in awesome. boiling water for 2 minutes. Using tongs or gloves, remove the lobsters, twist off the tails and return the bodies to the water for 1 minute longer. Let cool. Use scissors to cut the sides of the tail to remove the Pinot Noir, 2012. Hangtime. At its best. meat. Use scissors to cut the claws and arms to remove the meat. It’s not easy and be careful not to Bordeaux, 2015. Grand Louis. Drink or hold. cut yourself. Set aside meat. Falaghina, 2015. Grotta Della Janare. Once you’ve done that, place the shells on a cooking sheet and bake for 30 minutes at 350 °F. Remove Drink up. from oven, let cool and smash with hammer or mallet. Place shells in medium sauce pan, half fill with water. Add smashed garlic clove, half a chopped onion, 1 bay leaf and 1 chopped tomato. Boil until half January 2018: the liquid remains. Strain well. That’s your stock. Syrah, 2013. Delayed In Glass. Still awesome. Place lobster meat and all remaining ingredients in saucepan with 1 cup of half & half and 1 cup of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015. Antonio Mas. stock (or 2 cups of half & half). Bring to just below boiling point. Place in blender or food processor and Drink or hold. blend for about 2 seconds. Heat to just below boiling again and it’s ready to serve. Add salt and pepper Grenache Blanc, 2014. Bruberry. Ready. to taste. Bordeaux Blanc, 2015. Domaine Cheval. Serve with Soulstruck Grenache Blanc, Pujol Izard Sauvignon Blanc or Rariga Drink or hold. Riesling. www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463 REORDER PRICES ON EARLIER FAVORITES!

Item # Wine Description MSRP Reorder Case

C1018R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. Vrai Copain Violets, Cherry, Cranberry $18.99 $7.99 $95.88 C1018R2DC - Red Blend, 2013. PDQ Cherry, Earth, Black Pepper $16.99 $7.99 $95.88 C1118R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012. Metamorphosis Cassis, Cranberry, Leather $21.99 $7.99 $95.88 C1118R2DC - Merlot, 2013. Monrovia Station Blackberries, Blueberries, Spice $18.99 $7.99 $95.88 V1118R1IF - Merlot, 2014. Château Cap Blanc Berry and Earth $25.99 $12.99 $155.88 V1118R2DC - Merlot, 2013. Accoutre Luscious Berry, Cocoa, Spice $24.99 $12.99 $155.88 L1118R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016. Jettlynn Black Cherry, Black Pepper $26.99 $15.99 $191.88 L1118R2IA - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017. Avatar Plum, Cassis, Berry $25.99 $15.99 $191.88 REDS

ROBUST C1218R1DC - Syrah, 2015. Matchbook Blueberry, Spice, Chocolate $18.99 $7.99 $95.88 C1218R2DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. OMG Berry, Cedar, Silky Cherry $19.99 $7.99 $95.88 V1218R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. Painted Van Plum, Earth, Cassis $19.99 $12.99 $155.88 V1218R2IC - Reserve Carménère, 2017. Yali Rich Cherry, Chocolate, Spice $19.99 $12.99 $155.88 L1218R1IF - Côtes du Rhône, 2017. Cuvée des Galets Violets, Cranberry, Earth $23.98 $15.99 $191.88 L1218R2DC - Petit Sirah, 2015. Jelly Jar Roses, Cherry, Extracted Fruit $24.98 $15.99 $191.88

Only 72 L1018R1DC - Pinot Noir, 2013. Reata Cherry, Spice, Candy Apple $24.00 $15.99 $191.88 bottles left! N1218R1DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016. Resolution Blueberry, Cherry, Vanilla $25.00 $22.00 $264.00 R1218R1IF - Rosé, 2017. Arcades de Fontainebleau White Peach, Pink Grapefruit $21.00 $13.99 $167.88

REDS R1218R2IF - Rosé, 2017. Très Chic Strawberry, Lilting Berry $19.00 $14.99 $179.88 SOFTER P1218R1IF - Pinot Noir, 2012. Couëdic - Les Saumonts Lilac, Gentle Cherry, Earth $65.00 $45.00 $540.00

C1018W1IC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2017. Yali Lively Peach, Lime, Citrus $17.99 $6.99 $83.88 V1018W2DC - Chardonnay, 2014. Reata Butterscotch, Spiced Apple $18.99 $11.99 $143.88 N1018W1DC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2016. Sebright Fresh Herbs, Peach, Flowers $27.00 $17.99 $215.88 Only 12 L1118W3II - Verdicchio, 2016. Montecappone Apple, Spice, Lime $22.99 $13.99 $167.88 bottles left! WHITES ROBUST N1218W1DC - Bridesmaid, 2016. Crocker & Starr Stone Fruit, Lime Zest, Guava $25.00 $21.00 $252.00

C1018W2DC - Chardonnay, 2016. Lapis Luna Green Apple, Lemon Peel $15.99 $6.99 $83.88 V1018W1DC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2017. Angeline Herbs, Spice, Tropical Notes $17.99 $11.99 $143.88 C1118W1DC - Chardonnay, 2015. 2G2BT Pineapple, Melon, Tropical Notes $18.99 $6.99 $83.88 C1118W2DC - Chardonnay, 2015. Stone Valley Pear, Apple, Spice $18.99 $6.99 $83.88 V1118W1IF - Moulin Caresse, 2017. Les Frangins Lilac, Soft Peach, Pear $22.99 $11.99 $143.88 Only 55 V1118W2IM - Voskehat, 2015. ArmAs Vanilla Pudding, Spice $22.99 $11.99 $143.88 bottles left! C1218W1DC - White Blend , 2016. Sunday Funday Apple, Lovely Pear, Fresh Herbs $14.99 $6.99 $83.88 SOFTER WHITES C1218W2II - Chardonnay, 2016. Luna Di Luna Spiced Pear, Apple $14.99 $6.99 $83.88 V1218W1DC - Chardonnay 2014. PAF Green Apple, Asian Pear, Vanilla $19.99 $11.99 $143.88 V1218W2IK - Feteasca Regala, 2015. Circum Musk, Spice, Passion Fruit $19.99 $11.99 $143.88 L1218W3IF - Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Ch. Lesparre Chalk, Nectarine, Lime $24.99 $13.99 $167.88 L1218W4II - Cococciola, 2012. Terre Valse Roasted Almonds, Spice, Apple $23.99 $13.99 $167.88