Patricia Gastaud-Gallagher, Steven Spurrier, and Joanne Depuy

MAY 2021

322 WINES EVALUATED | 254 WINES REJECTED | 68 APPROVED MOST INTERESTING WINE TASTED: Perricone, 2019. Caruso & Minini

Patricia Gastaud-Gallagher, Steven Spurrier, and Joanne DePuy...

Patricia Gallagher (now Gastaud) had floated this idea to Steven Spurrier to host a tasting of American wines to all French judges...as sort of an American bicentennial tribute to introduce American wines to the French public. Of course, Mr. Spurrier will tell you that the British were of the finest Bordeaux (reds) and Burgundies (whites) that were featured at not too keen on celebrating the independence of America, Caves de la Madeleine. Patricia was tapped to head out to California and start the but thought the idea of introducing American wines search. And coincidentally, her trip started in April 1976 with a visit to her sister through the Académie du Vin was a fabulous idea. in Palos Verdes Estates (the city of the alma mater of my father, who started this very club). The two set out to strategize the selections and promote the tasting; pick the wines, curate the judges and host My father recalls Patricia visiting the wine shop and telling him of this tasting this extravaganza. Selecting the wines started with what caper...but alas, Patricia did not visit the store as he recalls, it was her sister who they were not going to show, meaning it was obvious actually frequented the store and told dad of her sister’s caper. After the two-day to them to leave out the “big” guys...wineries such as stop, up to Napa Patricia went to begin evaluating Napa wines (Patricia is slated to Robert Mondavi, Charles Krug and Beaulieu. They wanted be on Wine “Talks with Paul K” next month). upstarts, small, hand-crafted wines to put up against some

MEMBERSHIP IN THE WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB IS OPEN TO ANYONE WITH contd >> AN INTEREST IN & APPRECIATION FOR SUPERB WINES... @WineoftheMonthClub @WineoftheMonth & EXCELLENT WINE VALUES. MEMBERSHIP IS FREE. Soon after, Mr. Spurrier followed suit and arrived to continue the search. Here is where it gets interesting. One Joanne DePuy, a single mom of three and a wine and tennis travel guide, was tapped to host Mr. Spurrier and take him around the valley to these “upstart” wineries and see what they can peel back. She is the very person responsible for taking Steven to Stags’ Leap, Château Montelena and Freemark Abbey. What is amazing about her story is that it speaks to life’s situation.

More on that and her booklet “The Rest Of The Story,” next month.

Salud... be safe... stay well. Paul Kalemkiarian The entire event captured in George Taber’s book, Judgment of Paris. Owner/Cellarmaster

FLASHBACK Selection for June 1978 A LOOK BACK AT SOME STELLAR Corvo Salaparuta White 1975 SELECTIONS WITH ED MASCIANA This wine was virtually unknown when we featured it. But, soon afterwards it became one of the most popular whites in the U.S. Its easy-drinking approachability is what our members loved and apparently they weren’t alone in their love for this wine.

Selection for February 1979 Wente Brothers Petite Sirah 1976 One of the oldest wineries as well as the longest family-owned winery in America, Wente Vineyards was founded in 1883 when Carl H. Wente purchased 47 acres of vineyard land in the Livermore Valley. We were always great fans of their wines and this Petite Sirah was one of the standouts. They’re still around and they’re still making great wines. WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ The value is amazing... ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * SILVER LINING v 2019 PINOT NOIR 98 California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ pee • noh • nwahr ”

It is not easy to find a really good Pinot Noir at a great price. The reason COLOR is that it is one of the most difficult grapes to grow and wines to make. Medium Magenta It’s quite fussy in the vineyard, demanding warm weather at certain times and cool weather at others with no exceptions. Mother Nature isn’t always so accommodating. NOSE Cherry, Vanilla It also doesn’t like to produce too many grapes on a vine. A typical acre of Pinot Noir vines will produce about one-third less grapes than an acre of PALATE Cabernet Sauvignon. As if that isn’t enough, once crushed the wine likes Lush Fruit to oxidize quickly so one has to make sure it is kept as airtight as possible. FINISH Wineries, like O’Neill, go through all this trouble because the finished wine Plush Tannins is worth it. Their vast sources of vineyards and incredibly sophisticated facility allow them to put out a wine like this Silver Lining at a price other wineries can only dream of. Well, this dream is a reality for them. PAIRING Red Meat, Game, Fowl

Just have the word Sonoma, Santa Rita Hills or Santa Lucia on a Pinot Noir label and you just added $10-$15 to the price. O’Neill’s holdings CELLAR in cooler areas of Lodi, Paso Robles, and Clarksburg allow them to put out Now thru 2024 an amazing wine without the added price for its location.

Here is a classic Pinot offering cherry and pomegranate flavors with hints of spiced apple and red licorice. The plush vanilla from ID: C0521R1DC French oak comes through and dances with a rack of lamb or Reorder Price: $9.99 duck sausages.

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e SCO lu RE a * NOVINOPHOBIA v 2018 CHARDONNAY 96 California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ shar • doh • nay ”

Our selection comes to us from the powerhouse wine company, O’Neill COLOR Vintners. In less than 20 years they have become one of the top 30 wineries Medium Straw in the United States. That’s quite an accomplishment for founder Jeff O’Neill, but not surprising. He hails from a vine grower family and grew up in the business, learning it from the ground up. But, the finance degree is just NOSE Vanilla, Guava as important.

Too many people get seduced by the romance of the wine business, but Jeff PALATE knows it is a business, and in many ways, very much like any business. It’s Lovely, Nuance not about how much wine you make, it’s about how much you sell. O’Neill sells his wines easily because the price-to-value ratio is better than most. In FINISH other words, his wines are great values. Citrus Notes

They named the wine Novinophobia as a hyperbole for never wanting to run PAIRING out of wine. We’d like to add a word to that phrase, never wanting to run out Seafood, Fowl, of good wine. All that being said, we’re always delighted to feature O’Neill’s Vegetarian wines and they’re always hits with our members. CELLAR O’Neill not only owns three separate wineries, but a vast array of vineyards Now thru 2022 dotted all over California. This allows him to pick and choose from their sources to make the best wine possible every year. Our selection is a classic Chardonnay with all the green apple flavors to match any ID: C0521W1DC warm vanilla pudding or key lime pie you could ask for and Reorder Price: $8.99 then some.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Consistent Chilean... ” – PK

FUEGO e SCO lu RE a * AUSTRAL v 2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 95 Central Valley, Chile 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ cab • er • nay • saw • vee • nyon ”

We tend to think of Chile as one place to find great wine bargains. COLOR However, just as any other winemaking area, like California, it’s not just Medium Magenta one place, but many. Over the years we have noticed the differences in wines made in Maipo, Casablanca or Colchagua and have enjoyed each for their subtleties. NOSE Berry, Spice Fuego Austral owns vineyards in each of these districts and thus can blend myriad of different lots to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its PALATE parts. Their modern and technically proficient winery can monitor each lot Lovely Black Fruit of wine separately and keep them separate until the final blend is decided upon. It’s this kind of attention to detail we look for in a producer and FINISH are seldom disappointed. Once again, this environmentally conscious and Lush sustainable estate has presented us with another winner.

It is interesting to note that when Chile was attracting producers from PAIRING Red Meat, Fowl all over the world many planted Cabernet Sauvignon. After all, it is the most popular red grape in the world. But, being popular doesn’t mean it can grow anyplace, but it turned out that Chile was one of those places. CELLAR Fuego Austral found out that some areas, like the Central Valley, produce Now thru 2024 better Cabernet Sauvignon than others.

Like many of the best Cabernets, our selection comes on with subtle cherry and plum, but also adds a touch of blueberry and spice ID: C0521R2IC to the mix as well. The result is a nuanced blend of rich flavors Reorder Price: $9.99 ready to take on a beef pot pie or baby back ribs.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Solid CA Pinot Grigio... ” – PK

COOKIES e SCO lu RE a * AND CREAM v 2016 PINOT GRIGIO 95 California 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ pee • noh • GREE • joe ”

Cookies and Cream comes to us from our good friends at Terravant Wine COLOR Company, a $30 million wine facility in Buellton, just outside of the quaint Very Pale town of Solvang. They control vineyards all over California and even in many other countries, making them a force to be reckoned with anywhere in the world. NOSE Apple, Peach That force doesn’t preclude the fact that quality and service are their first concerns. It wouldn’t make sense to spend that much money on a PALATE facility and produce wine that wasn’t very good. Over the years, they have Touch of Cinnamon brought us wine at prices nobody could touch and the quality is always above the norm. FINISH Light, Citrus It’s because of that quality and service we are thankful that we have this partnership. The company was founded by a group of wine professionals with the idea of providing a facility for winemakers with great skills, but PAIRING Seafood no winery to work in. In other words, they are a winery for hire where they rent space, equipment, and experience. It all works. CELLAR When they encounter exceptional wines with no home, they come to us to Now thru 2022 see if there’s any interest. There almost always is, especially in this case. Our selection hails from many of the coastal vineyards they control, and it shows in the wine’s delicacy. From the floral notes in the nose to the luscious middle, it sings with apple and spice notes to invite ID: C0521W2DC an ahi sandwich with avocado or roasted peppers marinated Reorder Price: $8.99 in garlic and olive oil.

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e SCO lu RE a * MEZCLADA v 2018 MEZCLA DE RESERVA 98 Maipo Valley, Chile 13 % Alcohol by Volume

“ mez • klah • deh • res • ser • vah ”

Mezclada comes to us from the Chilean powerhouse producer, Cuatro COLOR Almas, “four souls.” The word means “mixed” or “blended” in Spanish. Medium Magenta It fits with our selection as it is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec and 25% Carménère. NOSE Layers of Berries Chile began its winemaking in the mid-1800s, which is about the same time California started. They too imported cuttings from Europe, but mostly from France. One of those grapes was labeled “Merlot,” but it PALATE turned out not to be Merlot. It was confused with Merlot because it tasted Silky Berry like Merlot. Even the French called it Merlot until DNA profiling came along and identified it as a grape called Carménère. The French would FINISH have nothing of it and it was banished from Bordeaux. However, it was Medium Tannins good enough for the Chileans, and they embraced it as their own. PAIRING While California was making great strides in wine quality, Chile was Red Meat, Game saddled with a sluggish economy and, as a result, lackluster wines. But, a few producers decided they would have to make good quality wine to stay CELLAR afloat. The more they did, the more the world noticed. Now thru 2024

Today Chile’s wineries reads like a who’s who of stellar producers from all over the world. Names like Mondavi and Rothschild cover the landscape and make wines like this stellar Mezclada. Luscious currants ID: V0521R1IC and cranberry fill the air and the palate, followed by engaging Reorder Price: $13.99 spice and vanilla. A classic Chilean BBQ awaits.

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e SCO lu RE a * RMH v 2018 PINOT NOIR 98 Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County, California 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ pee • noh • nwahr ”

RMH stands for River Myst Haven, a perfect name for a winery located in one COLOR of the coolest (both literally and figuratively) areas of Sonoma. Winemaker Soft Magenta Leo Hansen, son of a chef and hotelier, grew up in Denmark. He began working in his father’s kitchen at age 12 and later on learned about wine from the hotel’s sommelier. That was all it took. NOSE Spiced Apple He travelled to France, Spain and Italy in the early 90s and earned a European sommelier certification before landing in California. He worked PALATE his way through the vineyards of California before landing in Sonoma. Smooth

Leo’s European background was very instrumental in his desire to craft wines with lower alcohols, more backbone, and the ability to age gracefully. FINISH Sonoma’s Russian River Valley provided the most likely place he could find Lingering to do just that. Judging from the wines he’s crafted, it was a great choice. PAIRING Our selection is a perfect example of the Pinot Noir grape we prefer over all Red Meat, Fowl, Game others. It is a bit lighter than most from California, with elusive fruit, lilting balance, and an authoritative finish. The oak component adds complexity CELLAR and spice but doesn’t hide the floral and spice notes underneath. Now thru 2025 The color is lighter than most, which is how it should be, as manipulation of the grapes is needed for dark Pinot Noir. Here the natural aromas and flavors, not the process, stand out. The nose of cherry blossom and spice mixed with a touch of mint would be just the ticket ID: XR7257W for chicken tagine or lamb shanks cooked in tomato sauce Reorder Price: $17.98 and garlic.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Perfect example... ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * GRIN v 2018 PINOT GRIGIO 97 Friuli, Italy 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ pee • noh • GREE • joe ”

Our selection is crafted by the incomparable house of Volpe Pasini in Friuli. COLOR The estate is located in Villa Rosa, which Villa Pasini established in 1596 as a Pale Gold complex to welcome visitors and family. Little did they know then that Friuli was destined to be known as one of the greatest white wine-producing areas in the world. NOSE Intense While more than 70% of Italian wine production is red, it’s almost a shock to the system to realize the stature of Friuli for whites, yet its reputation is legendary. Its fame really didn’t come about until the 1970s when Italy PALATE Layers of Quince, realized that they couldn’t keep making white wines the way they made Apple reds. That method was to crush the grapes and put them in barrels where they oxidized quickly and died before bottling. FINISH Instead, they followed the rest of the world with cold fermentation, aging Insanely Long in stainless steel and enforcing strict control over oxidation. The results were transformative. Almost overnight, Friuli became the buzzword for phenomenal white wine and its star just keeps rising. PAIRING Seafood, Appetizers All 21 wine districts in Italy make Pinot Grigio, but none command the stature of those from Friuli. Obviously, it’s the soil and climate here that CELLAR makes the difference, but the winemakers are now in possession of a Now thru 2023 reputation they must deliver on and that makes it even more exciting.

In our case the excitement is delivered. The classic floral nose leads into the densely structured flavors of green apple and papaya with ID: V0521W1II layers of spice and citrus that could command an antipasto Reorder Price: $12.99 plate of gorgonzola, prosciutto, mortadella, and fontina.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Great fruit... ” – PK

VIGNERONS e SCO lu RE a * DE CAMPLONG v 2019 PEYRES NOBLES 95 Corbières AOC (Languedoc, France) 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ pere • noh • blah ”

Vignerons de Camplong is a small cooperative of 30 winegrowers, founded COLOR in 1932. The winery is located in heart of the Corbières appellation in the Deep Ruby Red Languedoc region of France. It is known as “land blessed by the gods” where a monastery was built in 1093. The harmony of nature is so perfect NOSE that’s it’s easy to imagine that this land was created expressly to grow Small Red Fruits, the finest wines. Corbières is the largest AOC from the Languedoc Spices, Garrigue region, representing 46% of production. Created in 1985, the AOC covers 33,500 acres of vineyards. It has very specific regulations. PALATE Berries, Cherry, The Syrah and Carignan in this blend undergo carbonic maceration, while Licorice, Sweet Spices the traditional winemaking process is applied to the Grenache. Carbonic maceration is a popular technique in Beaujolais but is also used in Corbières. FINISH This method involves filling a sealed vessel with carbon dioxide, then Good Structure and adding whole intact bunches of grapes. Once the alcohol reaches 2% the Richness, Long Finish berries burst, releasing their juice naturally. This process enhances fruity aromas and softens the tannins. PAIRING Duck Leg Confit, The nose evokes notes of red fruit, blackberry, spices and garrigue (which Cassoulet, Lamb, refers collectively to the wild-growing bush plants of the region such as Mushroom Pasta, Pork lavender, juniper, and rosemary). This wine is medium to full-bodied, it has structure with richness, complexity, and is very focused. Pair this CELLAR wine with duck leg confit or add some pork hock and beans and serve it Now thru 2023 with cassoulet. It will also pair nicely with roast lamb or grilled pork. For a vegetarian option, pair with a creamy garlic and mushroom pasta. When cooking with a plan to serve this wine, add spices ID: L0521R1IF such as cinnamon, cumin, 5-spice powder, star anise, and dried Reorder Price: $17.49 herbs to the dish to bring out those same flavors in the wine.

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e SCO lu RE a * OGIER v 2017 VACQUEYRAS 98 Vacqueyras, France 14 % Alcohol by Volume

“ vah • keh • rahs ”

After half a century of wine talk, it’s easy to get jaded. One more “Vintage COLOR of The Century” or “Top 10 List” or “The Greatest” and it all becomes an Very Dense audible blur. Then a vintage like 2017 in the Rhône comes along and has you standing on your head trying to believe it. Well, we’re believers. NOSE Spice, Berry It also helps that we get to feature a wine from one of our favorite producers, Ogier, and especially from a lesser known appellation, Vacqueyras. Etienne PALATE Ogier established his negociant business with his sons in 1859. They bought Large & Lovely finished wines from small producers, blended them, and sold them under their own name. By 1895, they began producing Châteauneuf-du-Pape. FINISH Keeps Going It wasn’t until 1948 that they had their own estate winery and could make wine from their vineyards. It’s that kind of dedication we admire most of our producers. As the pecking order goes, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is at the top. PAIRING Red Meat, Game Then comes Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Côtes du Rhône. But, when a vintage like 2017 comes along the lines get very blurry. CELLAR Now thru 2025 Last year, we featured their 2017 Côtes du Rhône that most tasters thought was Châteauneuf-du-Pape and it was one-fourth the price. This selection is in similar territory. The blend is equal parts of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre aged in large casks. The blend offers monumental ID: L0521R2IF flavors of black cherry and spice with hints of floral notes and anise. Braised goat or lamb shanks would do nicely. Reorder Price: $17.49

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Falanghina? Yes, please. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * CAMPI VALERIO v 2019 FALANGHINA 97 Molise, Italy 13 % Alcohol by Volume

“ FA • lan • GHEE • nah”

The Valerio Family has been stewards of their 1,200 acres of land for COLOR nearly 200 years. They are pretty much self-sufficient as they are not only Very Pale sustainable, but besides their 40 acres of vineyards, they also farm 75 acres of olive trees, 250 head of cattle, and 2,000 sheep which not only provide sustenance, but natural fertilizer as well. NOSE Tropical

Falanghina is one of those grapes that makes us smile by just hearing the word, let alone tasting this incredible wine. It was planted here in PALATE Campania around 700 BC by the Greeks when they were controlling the Expansive world as they knew it. When the Romans took over, they kept it as their own and for good reason. For over 2,000 years it has been linked to some FINISH of the earliest note-worthy wines made in the world. As far as we’re Very Elongated concerned, that’s no surprise. PAIRING The wine is a veritable fruit basket of flavors, each more enticing than Shellfish the other. Given that lofty description, it is hard to imagine that for some inexplicable reason its plantings decreased to the point of near extinction CELLAR 100 years ago. Now thru 2022

Thankfully, producers like Valerio wouldn’t let that happen and led the charge for its emergence. Today, this beautiful varietal is in full force, offering its peach, guava and quince flavors, and piquant kiwi ID: L0521W1II finish. Matching it with a shrimp pasta finished with a touch Reorder Price: $15.49 of cream and vermouth would be mesmerizing.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Out of left field... ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * STATION 26 v 2020 ROSÉ 97 Napa Valley, California 13.1 % Alcohol by Volume

“ roe • SAY ”

Armed with a winemaking degree from UC Davis, winemaker Ian McCaffrey COLOR hit the ground running and worked stints at Schramsberg, Joel Gott, Pale Rose with Orin Swift, Joseph Phelps, Robert Mondavi, and Louis Martini wineries. Hints of Ruby His passion project, California Icons, launched in 2020 with the release of a 2019 Rosé of Grenache from the Central Coast and a 2018 Napa Red NOSE last fall. McCaffrey says that his longtime goal for California Icons is to Floral, Tropical Fruit, “continue to create accessible, value-priced labels...that highlight special Citrus places across my beautiful home state.” PALATE Aromatic, Crisp Fruit McCaffrey works with a small number of growers in the Santa Barbara and and Effervescent San Luis Obispo appellations that provide him with grapes. The grapes are picked in the cold early morning hours. Then whole clusters go directly FINISH into the press, and the juice is slowly fermented at low temperatures to Refreshing with preserve the peak freshness of the aromatics, effervescence, and crispness Pleasing Acidity you will find in this wine. With the help of his trusted growers, McCaffrey is able to coax the bright fruit flavors and exciting freshness out of this PAIRING wine, showcasing the skills he has honed through the years working in Seafood, Veggie Skewers, the industry. Feta Tart, Soft Cheeses

This fresh California Rosé pairs well with anything you’d eat for afternoon CELLAR Enjoy Now picnic on the beach. Think dishes that include local seafood, such as fish tacos, a niçoise salad or Santa Barbara uni. This Rosé is perfect for the warm-weather months, as it will pair nicely with light veggie ID: R0521R1DC skewers or a feta, spinach, and mint tart. Soft cheeses and a Reorder Price: $17.00 fresh baguette will also complement this wine nicely.

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e SCO lu RE a * DANCING CROW v ROSÉ 2020 98 Lake County, California 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ roe • SAY ”

Owner, Dan Dawson, has had an incredible 25-year career in one of wines’ COLOR number one playgrounds, Napa Valley. He’s been a sommelier at the French Pale Pink Laundry, wine buyer at Dean and DeLuca, and now heads winemaking at Dancing Crow. We’re guesing he knows a thing or two about great wine. NOSE The 2020 vintage in Napa was very difficult, so Dan went to Lake County Berry, Jasmine for this astonishing rosé. Lake County is one of the best kept secrets in California. It borders the east side of Sonoma and the north side of Napa, garnering benefits from each. PALATE Enveloping Most winemakers would take the base wine of this selection, a single vineyard syrah, and make an outstanding, rich red wine from it. Dan did FINISH that, but he also reserved a some of the syrah for this rosé. This selection is Tart a blend of 83% Syrah and 17% Sauvignon Blanc. We applaud these efforts as he valued quality above all else here, since one can’t sell a rosé for the same price as a syrah. PAIRING Appetizers, Seafood Making rosé should be easier than it is. After all, it’s a lovely, refreshing wine with a little body and piquant flavors. But, the timing is extremely CELLAR important. One crushes the grapes and leaves them on the skins for just a Now thru 2022 few hours to attain that blush of color and still retain the flavor. Too little time and there’s no flavor. Too much and it’s, well, too much.

So, this selection is what we hold dear in a rosé. Fresh strawberry, floral hints, and acacia permeate the glass and descend on the ID: R0521R2DC palate equally. The finish goes on and would pair well with a Reorder Price: $16.00 tuna carpaccio.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Solid Bordeaux... ” – PK

L’ETRE e SCO lu RE a * MAGIQUE v 2016 BORDEAUX 97 Bordeaux, France 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ bore • DOH ”

Our selection comes from a small, but respected producer, Maison de COLOR Grand Esprit. They seem to surround themselves in superlatives as the Very Deep name means “The House of Great Spirit” and L’Etre Magique translates to “The Magical Being.” NOSE Once you explore their wines and learn of their passion it’s hard to argue Violets, Blueberry their marketing boldness. Winemaker, Florent Gauthier, grew up in Bordeaux in a family of grapegrowers going back three generations. But, PALATE Florent had an advantage none of his ancestors had. That was the ability Richly Textured to easily study winemaking in many countries like Australia, Argentina, and the United States. FINISH His experience was extremely important because it presented new ideas Long, Slow, Penetrating and new “traditions” that are not normally available in his backyard. Bordeaux’s reputation can also be a hinderance as it can lead to being PAIRING isolated and thus, out of the influence of the rest of the world. Florent Red Meat, Cheeses would have none of that. He wanted to know as much as possible from as many sources as possible. CELLAR Now thru 2025 Not only did he make wine in different areas he even took the streets to sell it in Paris. It gave him incredible insight into all facets of the business, and this shows in his wines. For this magnificent selection, Florent used 70% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon with splashes of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The rich berry mingles with the vanilla and fine ID: B0521R1IF tannins to markedly impact a cheese soufflé or Wagyu burger Reorder Price: $20.99 with caramelized onions.

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ue SCOR CHÂTEAU SAINT SEURIN l E a * DE LEVIAC v 2018 BORDEAUX 97 Bordeaux, France 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ bore • DOH ”

A curious thing has been occurring in the Entre-Deux-Mers district of COLOR Bordeaux. It’s called red wine. This area was, and to a point still is, the Deep Magenta largest white wine producing area in France. But, that has been changing in the last decade and for good reason. The wines represent great values and are getting better. NOSE Black Cherry The Château is one of several under the control of Renaud and Claire Jean. It is named after Saint Seurin, the patron saint of Bordeaux. Renaud, the winemaker, is considered a bit of a rebel here. The principle red grape here PALATE Side-to-side Luscious has always been Merlot, but Renaud began crafting wines out of Cabernet Sauvignon when it became obvious that in certain vintages in certain places of the vineyard, the wine was better. FINISH Long, Invigorating However, in keeping with his reputation, Renaud made his best wine in 2018 out of 100% Merlot. There’s no sense in trying to make sense of all PAIRING this. After all, all we’re looking for is a great wine at a great price and it Red Meat seems that’s what Mr. Jean delivers.

Because Bordeaux was created millions of years ago with seismic occurrences CELLAR and volcanic eruptions, its soil is really not much soil at all. It’s mostly bits of Now thru 2025 dirt squeezed in between rocks, limestone, and clay. In other words, perfect for grape growing.

And our selection is everything Bordeaux is about. Earth tones mixed with black fruits, plum, vanilla spice, and dark chocolate ID: B0521R2IF to seize a flank steak marinated in soy and ginger. Sounds Reorder Price: $20.99 rather saintly.

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e SCO lu RE a * DOURTHE v 2018 BORDEAUX BLANC 97 Bordeaux, France 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ bore • DOH BLONK ”

Pierre Dourthe was a hotelier in Landes, located on the southwest corner COLOR of France. He became involved in representing Bordeaux properties, selling Very Pale their wines to merchants and restaurants. Apparently, he had no ambition to actually own a château of his own. NOSE Fast forward 30 years when his eldest son, Jean, moved to Bordeaux and the White Peach plot thickens. One thing that came into play was the Bordeaux Classification of 1855, which established a hierarchy of what the best places were, and which were the best châteaux. That helped put Bordeaux into everyone’s PALATE Luscious Fruit, Citrus memory and solidified its position in the wine world.

By 1929, the Dourthe family had purchased several châteaux and were on FINISH their way. Today, they control some eight properties in several different Very Dramatic appellations in Bordeaux and all are highly prized. PAIRING We are very partial to white Bordeaux because, in many ways, it is one of Seafood the purest expressions of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Most white Bordeaux add a percentage of Sémillon and even Muscadelle. We tend to like wines like Dourthe as it is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. CELLAR Now thru 2022 What separates this wine from most is skin contact. This procedure adds tannins and impact to the wine but must be carefully controlled or it could render the wine too tart. It’s a matter of hours, not days, so monitoring is important. When they get it right, like here, the lip-smacking intensity doesn’t stop. White peach and granite unite with ID: B0521W1IF lemon peel to craft a perfect foil for halibut Provençal or seared Reorder Price: $18.99 albacore with tomato concasse.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ A friend of a friend... ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * STATION 26 v 2018 RED BLEND 97 Napa Valley, California 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume

California Icons is a passion project of location-based wines that focus COLOR on local icons as the inspiration for, and centerpiece of, each label. Ruby Red Winemaker Ian McCaffrey’s began his career at UC Davis, just across the causeway from Tower Bridge (one of the California Icons’ labels). NOSE Station 26, the label for this red blend, features a lifeguard tower in Aromatic Red Fruit, Santa Monica. This icon holds sentimental value for McCaffrey, as it Spice, Vanilla, Oak was the site of his first date with his girlfriend. Station 26 will always symbolize summer, sunsets, and relaxing with friends on the sand. PALATE Cranberry, Fruit-Leather, This wine is a blend of Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, all grown in Preserves Oak Knoll District in Napa Valley. The vineyard is Napa Green Certified for sustainable practices that reduce runoff, conserve water, and restore FINISH riparian habitat. Lingering, Velvety and Structured Station 26 is a fresh blend that opens with aromatics achieved only through extensive and refined oak aging. The Merlot is clean and bright PAIRING with spicy fruit on the palate, developing into a rich, weighty mid-palate Hamburger, Margherita Pizza, of cranberry provided by Malbec, and culminates in an assertive, velvety, Pork Sausage, and structured finish with lingering fruit-leather and preserves courtesy Duck, Fava Beans of Petit Verdot. CELLAR Pair this wine with some crowd-pleasing classics, like a juicy hamburger or Now thru 2023 a Margherita pizza. This wine will also pair well with grilled pork sausages or pan-fried duck breast. Pair with some fresh blanched ID: N0521R1DC fava beans in olive oil and salt alongside dry sausages as Reorder Price: $24.00 an aperitif.

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e SCO lu RE a * VOCAB v 2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 97 Napa Valley, California 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ cab • er • nay • saw • vee • nyon ”

Vocab is a collaboration between Craig Cybulski, a Napa-born vineyard COLOR manager from a family of grape growers, and Barry Belli whose vineyard Very Dark management company manages over 3,500 acres of vines in California’s prime wine districts. He also brings 25 years of financial management to the firm. NOSE Brooding Berries Having been in business ourselves for 50 years, we are more attuned than most to the importance of financial responsibility. A lot of wineries and wine PALATE clubs have come and gone, but the ones who understand the economics of Intense Fruit the business are still here.

But, Vocab is not just another operation making great wine from FINISH Wild Spice, Mint Napa. They are also on board with concepts like sustainability in the vineyards and winery, as well as making wines that are lower in sulfites, vegan-friendly, and maintain a low carbon footprint. Furthermore, they are PAIRING involved in the newest vineyard management technology with regards to Red Meat studying vine health using sensors to detect potential problems before they happen. These new technologies are now essential and save an inordinate CELLAR amount of money. The last thing any winery wants to do is replace vines. Now thru 2024

All this attention to detail and the environment pays off in the bottle. Some wines say “Napa Valley” and others scream it. Vocab is the latter. The dense aroma of blackberries and anise fill the room and signal the ripe currant and spice to follow. This wine works beautifully ID: N0521R2DC when followed by a prime rib or wild mushroom soup with a Reorder Price: $22.00 splash of sherry.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Full-bodied... ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * TWO OLD DOGS v 2019 SAUVIGNON BLANC 97 Napa Valley, California 13.8 % Alcohol by Volume

“ saw • vee • nyon • blahnk ”

It’s difficult to stay focused when writing about Two Old Dogs because the COLOR principals are two very respected former baseball players, Chris Iannetta Very Pale and Vernon Wells. There have been former baseball players who were into wine, but we don’t think we’ve ever heard of any of them actually owning NOSE a winery. Stone Fruit

They both shared a passion for great wine, so they decided to craft their PALATE own. After all, they had the finances and they had name recognition, Spice, Melon especially among baseball aficionados. The only issue was that neither of one of them had ever made wine before, so they had to find someone who FINISH did. They couldn’t hire just any winemaker, so they started at the top with Snappy French-born Julien Fayard. It was an easy choice. Julien has more than 20 years of experience making wines for the likes of Lafite Rothschild. PAIRING He is as good as it gets when it comes to winemaking. Seafood, Shellfish

So, armed with the resources and the winemaker, they founded their CELLAR Now thru 2022 winery in 2005. Name recognition helps, but now it’s not a pitcher they’re staring down, it’s a customer, so it all has to work. And it definietley works here. Our selection boasts 12% of the Musque clone, bringing enveloping fruit and spice to the spine-tingling traditional Sauvignon ID: N0521W1DC Blanc to expand the white peach and melon flavors, creating Reorder Price: $23.50 the perfect host for raw oysters or seared ahi.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Great fruit... ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * ANTICO FUOCO v 2019 CHARDONNAY 97 Veneto, Italy 12 % Alcohol by Volume

“ shar • doh • nay ”

Antico Fuoco is located in the legendary area of the Veneto in northeastern COLOR Italy. Its name translates to “ancient fire” which pays homage to the Very Pale enjoyment of food and wine around a campfire after harvest.

Wine has been made in this region for thousands of years. It was very NOSE Apple, Pear popular and often used as currency. One enterprising winemaker thought that planting grapes near bodies of water would make it quicker to load onto ships carrying the wine to waiting customers. No doubt whoever thought of PALATE Engaging this idea was hailed a genius. However, unbeknownst to anyone back then Tropical Fruit is that these vineyards near bodies of water have ancient sea matter below them which just so happens to be the finest natural fertilizer known. FINISH Clean, Sharp Antico Fuoco is owned by Massanois, a New York importer and wholesaler founded in Spain that specializes in small, organic wineries that make a statement about the grape and the ground in which it was grown. PAIRING Our selection makes that statement. Seafood

Most of Italy is known for red wine. But, the Northeast is known for white CELLAR and unquestionably the finest whites in the country. It sports everything Now thru 2022 white grapes need: rolling hillsides, cooler temperatures and ancient seabeds. Our selection is a perfect example of this trifecta of ingredients. All work in harmony to deliver a wine that’s clean and fresh ID: S0521W1II with tropical fruit notes to harmonize with a plate of fine Reorder Price: $16.00 cheeses or fresh sardines.

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Love the taste of the fruit’s sugar... ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * SOLILÚ v 2019 MOSCATO 96 Asti, Italy 5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ mohs • kaa • toh ”

Solilú is produced by Azienda Agricola Poggio which is run by the Matteo COLOR Family. Our selected Moscato comes from one of the greatest red wine Very Pale producing area in the world, Piedmont in northern Italy. But as grand as its most famous wines (Barolo and Barbaresco) are, the Moscato, especially from the commune of Asti, are almost as legendary. NOSE Floral, Peach On paper, Moscato d’Asti sounds like a simple little wine. It has 5% alcohol and maybe 5% sugar, which adds a little sparkle to it, and makes it easy PALATE to drink. But when you’re making it from low yield, 40-year-old vines the Lovely Spritz entire dynamic changes. It may be light, but it leaves a big impression. FINISH That impression is the work of the grape, Muscat, the oldest grape on Refreshing the planet. It was the first grape made into wine some 8,000 years ago and was very popular because it was a bit effervescent, a bit sweet, and since there was no refrigeration or airtight containers back then, it lasted PAIRING Light Appetizers longer than any other wine.

It’s an amazing grape in that it can produce a big, bold, luscious dessert CELLAR wine or this lighter, alluring selection that tickles and tantalizes. It’s hard Now thru 2022 to imagine anyone drinking this wine without having a smile on their face.

The first thing you notice is the presence of a few bubbles. Not a lot, just enough to amuse. Then comes the musk and floral notes, ID: S0521W2II followed by peach, apricot, and spiced apple. The finish is Reorder Price: $16.00 tart and clean, which can match almost any dish imaginable.

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Unbelievable selection of wines I’ve been a member for several years... Unbelievable selection of wines, often I’ve been a member for several years now selling for less than Costco!! – Alan and consistently happy with the wine selections and replacement policy should some- thing be not quite right for me. I’m excited I have always had excellent customer... for each new shipment! It’s a lot of fun to try I have always had excellent customer new wines without the guessing. – Gina service and the choices of wine sent me have been wonderful. I certainly have no complaints about anything to do with your Excellent wines wonderful company. I also enjoy the email Excellent wines - just as expected and “interviews”. – Karen delivered in no time and in a great box. Great experience- Thank you. I’ll be ordering again! – Paul First shipment flawless & wines were... new member First shipment flawless & wines were great. The wine selection is excellent and the... Special Valentines offer of rose & ruby The wine selection is excellent and the chocolates was also great looking forward information on each wine. The online to rest of the year offerings. – Daniel ordering is very user friendly and conve- nient. And the customer service tab was very helpful and quick responses. Good value Thank you – Raymond Rodriguez Good value for price – Richard WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 RECIPES CELLAR NOTES Pork Schnitzel A report on how previous selections are faring Serves: 6 with age. Obtained from actual tastings of wines under optimal storage conditions. INGREDIENTS 6 boneless pork chops about 6 oz. each CLASSIC SERIES 1/3 cup all-purpose flour May 2019: 1 tbsp garlic salt (or substitute with equal parts salt and garlic powder) Zinfandel, 2015. Bianchi. Great now. 1/2 tsp paprika Chardonnay, 2017. Four Vines. Drink up. 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground Pinot Noir, 2016. Rhea. Drink or hold. 3 large eggs 2 cups panko bread crumbs Pinot Gris, 2016. A to Z. Ready. olive oil PREPARATION lemon wedges (to serve) May 2020 : Line a cutting board with plastic wrap, place Bourbon Barrel, 2018. Triple B. Years to go. cutlets in a single layer on cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Pound cutlets with a Chardonnay, 2017. Heron. Best now. meat mallet or the back of a heavy saucepan, until 1/4" to 1/8" thick. Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018. Saint Marcellin. Still great. Set up three bowls. In the first bowl, combine flour, garlic salt, paprika, and pepper. In the Grillo, 2016. Tiamo. Drink up. second bowl, use a fork to beat the eggs. In the third bowl, add the panko bread crumbs. VINTNERS SERIES Dredge both sides of each pounded cutlet in flour then dip in beaten egg letting excess egg May 2019: drip back into the bowl before breading in panko crumbs. It helps to use a fork for the dipping Bordeaux, 2014. Château Virevalois. Still great. process to keep your hands clean. Repeat with remaining cutlets. Piquepoul, 2017. La Domitienne. Ready. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add enough oil to cover the bottom of Red Blend, 2016. Passive Aggressive. Drink or hold. the pan. Once oil is hot, add cutlets until cooked through, 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat if cutlets Vinho Branco, 2017. Jardim da Estrela. are browning too quickly. Remove to a papertowel-lined plate. Cut into one to double check Lovely now. doneness—juices should run clear. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and Silver Lining Pinot Noir, Mezclada or May 2020: Ogier Vacqueyras. Pinot Noir, 2018. Camino d’Oro Gran Reserva. Years to go. Grilled Rockfish. Chardonnay, 2017. Terra Robles. Best now. 4 Servings INGREDIENTSGrilled Rockfish Chianti, 2016. Ferrante. Drink or hold. 4 RockfishServes: filet 4 White Blend, 2015. La Rosa. Perfect now.

INGREDIENTS 3 tbs Vegetable oil LIMITED SERIES 1 tbs Lemon juice4 rockfish filets 4 tbs Butter 3 tbsp vegetable oil May 2019: 4 clove Garlic1 tbsp lemon juice Grenache, 2016. Passive Aggressive. Still great. 2 tbs Basil, 4 fresh tbsp ; butterchopped 1 dash Cayenne pepper 4 garlic cloves GSM Blend, 2016. Roald. Still great. Sauvignon Blanc, 2018. Pebble Cove. INSTRUCTIONS 1 dash cayenne pepper PREPARATION Drink or hold. Marinate the fish in the oil and lemon juice for at least 30 minutes 2 tbsp basil, freshly chopped beforeMarinate grilling. Grill the for fish 10 toin 15 the min, oil turning and lemon only once juice or fryfor in Falanghina, 2017. Alois Caulino. Drink. pan over medium heat. Time depends on the thickness of your fish. In a separate pan, heat the butter and at least 30 minutes before grilling. Grill for 10 to 15 mins, turning only once or fry in pan over garlic for 3 minutes in a non-stick pan, stirring constantly to make sure it doesn’t brown. Add the cayenne May 2020: peppermedium and remove heat. from Time the depends heat. Pour on the the garlic thickness butter over of your the fishfish. and sprinkle with chopped basil. Pinot Noir, 2016. Latitude 38. Drink or hold. Serve with Novinophobia Chardonnay, Grin Pinot Grigio or Campi Valerio Falanghina, In a separate pan, heat the butter and garlic for 3 minutes in a non-stick pan, stirring constantly Petit Verdot Reserve, 2014. Parducci. Beautiful now. to make sure it doesn’t brown. Add the cayenne pepper and remove from the heat. Pour the Treixadura, 2016. Senda Verde. At its best. garlic butter over the fish and sprinkle with chopped basil. Xarel-lo, 2016. Agusti Torello Mata. Perfect. Serve with Novinophobia Chardonnay, Grin Pinot Grigio or Campi Valerio Falanghina.

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 “After tasting over 100,000 wines, I have learned to choose only the best representations of the grapes and growing regions.” -Paul Kalemkiarian 2nd generation owner Try one of our specialty wine series

ROSE SERIES Hand-curated Rosés from all over the world. A Rosé lover’s dream.

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pure Organic SERIES The newest in wine categories, these are curated from all over the organic/biodynamic vineyards of the world.

CALIFORNIA SERIES A red wine only club that features great California wine values across many styles.

original clubs Classic • Vintner’s • Limited Special Values.

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TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

Patricia Gastaud-Gallagher, Steven Spurrier, and Joanne DePuy...

Patricia Gallagher (now Gastaud) had floated this idea to Steven Spurrier to host a tasting of American wines to all French judges...as sort of an American bicentennial tribute to introduce American wines to the French public. Of course, Mr. Spurrier will tell you that the British were not too keen My father recalls Patricia visiting the wine shop and telling him on celebrating the independence of America, but thought the idea of this tasting caper...but alas, Patricia did not visit the store as of introducing American wines through the Académie du Vin was a he recalls, it was her sister who actually frequented the store fabulous idea. and told dad of her sister’s caper. After the two-day stop, up to Napa Patricia went to begin evaluating Napa wines (Patricia is The two set out to strategize the selections and promote the tasting; slated to be on Wine “Talks with Paul K” next month). pick the wines, curate the judges and host this extravaganza. Selecting the wines started with what they were not going to Soon after, Mr. Spurrier followed suit and arrived to continue show, meaning it was obvious to them to leave out the “big” guys... the search. Here is where it gets interesting. One Joanne wineries such as Robert Mondavi, Charles Krug and Beaulieu. They DePuy, a single mom of three and a wine and tennis travel wanted upstarts, small, hand-crafted wines to put up against some of the finest Bordeaux (reds) and Burgundies (whites) that were featured at CONTINUED >> Caves de la Madeleine. Patricia was tapped to head out to California and start the search. And coincidentally, her trip started in April 1976 with a visit to her sister in Palos Verdes Estates (the city of the alma mater of my father,

who started this very club). Paul kalemkiarian Owner/cellarmaster

WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB | 320 W CHESTNUT AVE, MONROVIA, CA 91016 @WineoftheMonthClub @WineoftheMonth

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 guide, was tapped to host Mr. Spurrier and take him around the valley to these “upstart” wineries and see what they can peel back. She is the very person responsible for taking Steven to Stags’ Leap, Château Montelena and Freemark Abbey. What is amazing about her story is that it speaks to life’s situation.

More on that and her booklet “The Rest Of The Story,” next month.

Salud... be safe... stay well. Paul Kalemkiarian Owner/Cellarmaster The entire event captured in George Taber’s book, Judgment of Paris.

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DOMAINE CAZES 2018 RED BLEND 98 Côtes du Roussillon, France VALUE SCORE* 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume

Biodynamic Organic

Domaine Cazes was founded in 1895 by Michel Cazes in the Rivesaltes Color appellation of Roussillon. Back then, Roussillon was referred to as DARK RED one region made up of many smaller areas, but none were deemed worth noting on their own. That has changed dramatically in the last Nose 50 years. BERRY & SPICE Today, there are nearly 15 different appellations now considered worthy of AOC status. The AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is the French government agency which assigns the appellation of Palate origin to each area. While there is no pecking order, as there is in ENVELOPING Bordeaux and Burgundy, it’s almost an open secret which ones are better than the others. Rivesaltes, located as far south as you can get in France overlooking the Mediterranean, is considered one of the better regions. Finish VERY CLEAN While Michel started with just a few acres, the 5th generation of his ancestors now craft wines from nearly 500 acres. In 1997, they converted to organic and biodynamic and today, they do not add any sulfites to their wines. The climate here is maritime and the soil Pairing calcareous, in other words, perfect for growing wine grapes. RED MEAT, GAME These grapes tend to be the same as those featured in the Southern Rhone—Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, and usually in equal parts. On the surface it sounds as though they would all taste the same, Cellar but the soils dictate the tastes, making them all slightly different. NOW THRU 2024 Here they produce bright, clean flavors of berry and spice to power through a wild mushroom risotto or pork tenderloin smothered in caramelized onions.

Why I Chose This Wine Item ID: U0521R1IF Reorder Price: $19.00 “ JUST SUPERB... ” – PK

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ORGANIC BIODYNAMIC DRY-FARMED

MINIMAL NO SULFITES ADDED INTERVENTION

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DUE TERRE 2018 FRAPPATO 98 Sicily, Italy VALUE SCORE* 13 % Alcohol by Volume “ frap • pah • toh ” Minimal Intervention Organic

Due Terre is a certified organic cooperative specializing in indigenous Color Sicilian grapes like our selected Frappato. It is often blended with VERY PALE MAGENTA another Sicilian original, Nero d’Avola to add extra body, but Due Terre (“Two Lands”) wants to preserve the natural state of the grape since it was discovered in 1760. Nose CHERRY Sicily is one of the most diverse, multi-cultural places on Earth. Because of its strategic position as the eastern gateway to the Mediterranean, it has been conquered by every civilization that ruled the world at the time. From the Egyptians to the Arabians, Greeks, Palate and Romans, the influences in architecture, food, and wine are still in LIGHT, ENVELOPING place as they have been for thousands of years.

Most likely, the greatest influence on their wines came from the Finish Greeks. When they ran the show some 2,500 years ago, they planted SNAPPY grapes as far as they could conquer. Frappato may be one of the presents they left behind.

It stands in contrast to most of the red grapes of Sicily. The Pairing mountainous terrain and warm climate signal a place for grand FISH, FOWL, VEGETARIAN reds, yet Frappato is a delicately scented, lighter offering that is quite refreshing when slightly chilled. Even the labels with pictures of puppets used in the 15th Century signal the fanciful nature of the wine. Cellar NOW THRU 2022 The light color signals the easy style of the wine, offering sweet plum and cherry with hints of cranberry and mint. This lovely selection can match anything from a lamb stew to poached salmon with mango salsa.

Why I Chose This Wine Item ID: U0521R2II Reorder Price: $19.00 “ FINALLY ARRIVED... ” – PK

* value score: the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price, region and varietal.

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 DESIGNATIONS FOR THIS WINE

MINIMAL ORGANIC HAND-HARVESTED INTERVENTION

TASTING NOTES

WINE COLOR DAT E TAST ING COMMENT S THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES The Purest Wines on the Planet

HORSE AND PLOW 2019 CHARDONNAY 97 North Coast, California VALUE SCORE* 14.1 % Alcohol by Volume “ shar • doh • nay ” Minimal Intervention Organic

Horse and Plow is the collaborative efforts of wife and husband team, Color Suzanne Hagins and Chris Sandos. Suzanne worked for some of the LIGHT GOLDEN finest restaurants in South Carolina before crossing the Atlantic to Burgundy and landing at Comte Armand, one of the finest producers there. Chris studied enology at San Francisco State and UC Davis. Nose Together they craft the wines. GREEN APPLE Horse and Plow doesn’t own any vineyards, so they have to depend on independent vineyards in the North Coast to provide suitably Palate organic grapes from areas with a certification of authenticity. This FRESHLY PICKED would have been much more difficult in 2008 when they launched their winery, but today it is much easier as organic farming is becoming almost the norm instead of the exception.

Finish Whether organic farming makes a better wine is hard to ascertain, VERY CRISP but their goal is to nurture the land so that the grapes’ natural flavors will shine through. And this we have noticed, as there’s a freshness and a cleaner focus of flavors in their wines, as there is in most Pairing organic wines. SEAFOOD, FOWL Of course, their skills in the winemaking process play an important part too. The team concentrates on a fine acid backbone to further extenuate the freshness. The wine is then aged in neutral oak barrels, Cellar so it picks up but a hint of spice and vanilla. The result is a finely NOW THRU 2023 tuned Chardonnay with pinpoint apple and guava flavors and a bright finish that could stand up to spaghetti with clams or eggplant Parmigiano.

Why I Chose This Wine Item ID: U0521W1DC Reorder Price: $16.00 “ RARE ANIMAL... ” – PK

* value score: the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price, region and varietal.

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 DESIGNATIONS FOR THIS WINE

MINIMAL ORGANIC NATURAL HAND-HARVESTED INTERVENTION

DRY (NO ADDED SUGAR) NO CARBOHYDRATES NATIVE YEASTS

TASTING NOTES

WINE COLOR DAT E TAST ING COMMENT S