6-Bottle Club Series
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le tt es o ri -B e 6 S ub Cl Wines evaluated last month: 310 • Rejected: 266 • Approved: 44 • Selected: 12 MAY 2011 Whathat’s’s New ThiThiss MMonth?onth? y the time this sinusitis made me newsletter is realize that second — even B written, I will have third — opinions are my survived sinus surgery prerogative and it can and should be on my feet be the difference with bells on. I learned between going through something from this the inconvenience and bout with health issues. recovery of surgery to Though our medical correct a malady or just system is the understand - greatest in the ing that the t’s all good. Back in world and all the problem will 1 the hunt for great best research is pass on its 1 0 I wine values. Really coming from own. I just 2 turning over some stones. America and I am didn’t feel Y A Though tasting wine in the sure most of us right about M office keeps our nose are very my original happy with diagnosis and (punny) to the grindstone, our doctors…I continued to search it is getting out to the have realized, until a doctor gave trade tastings where we maybe just in me a better under - meet and greet the time, that we standing of what winemakers and owners are responsible was happening, and who want to grow their for our health then I made the businesses. Look for some and wellbeing. decision to have The doctors — one that really fun things coming surgery don’t have all should fix a litany of down the pike. the answers and they problems over the years. can’t put themselves in And of course, a little red our shoes to know wine can help to smooth exactly what we are the bumps. feeling. This bout with Paul Kalemkiarian PK INSIDE THE TASTING ROOM THIS MONTH What’s New? 2 Vintners Series Earlier Selections 13 Classic Series: Cate Pinot Noir 3 Facebook 14 Classic Series: Sol de Chile Chardonnay 4 Classic Series: Vecchia Cantina Sangiovese 15 Classic Series: Stemmari Nero d’Avola 5 Classic Series: Santa Barb. Crossing Chen. Blnc 16 Classic Series: Monte Blanco Sauvignon Blanc 6 Classic Series: Painted Van Pinot Grigio 17 Classic Series Earlier Selections 7 Classic Series: Gosford Shiraz 18 Tasting Journal 8 Limited Series Earlier Selections 19 Classic Series: Santa Barbara Crossing Chardonnay 9 For Members Only 20 Classic Series: Tulip Hill Cabernet 10 Gifts & More 21 Classic Series: Dancing Derby Sauvignon Blanc 11 Recipes 22-23 Classic Series: HAGT Syrah 12 The Corkboard 24 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 2 M A CLASSIC Y 2 0 1 1 ate winemaker, label (1991 – 1995). Joe then C Joe Dobbes, is the became Willamette Valley consummate wine - Vineyard’s winemaker and maker. A true Oregonian, he vice president of production, was raised in a small town in and simultaneously, wine - the north of Willamette maker for the Griffin Creek Valley and educated in and Tualatin Estate labels Ashland. Yet his calling (1996 – 2002). Yet Joe’s began outside Oregon, in many accomplishments did Germany and France, where not satisfy his drive. C L he spent two and a half A Joe is passionate about Pinot Noir S years learning the art and (Peeno No wahr) S I science of winemaking. He bringing forth the natural C characteristics 2009 S apprenticed E of the grapes Cate R at Wiengut I and letting Willamette Valley, E Erbhof Tesch, S Oregon in the German the flavors Nahe region, and aromas Color: Light magenta and at tell the story Domaine G. of their Nose: Roumier and quality Bing cherry with upbringing. He fervently hints of cinnamon Domaine Comtes Lafon in and cotton candy Burgundy, France, with wine - believes that the quality of masters Christophe Roumier wine starts in the vineyard. Palate: From early spring until Full, but not and Dominique Lafon. Joe overbearing returned to Oregon and harvest, Joe scrutinizes the Finish: applied his knowledge, vines, selecting the best sites and clones, as well as crop Lovely spice with experience, and passion for touches of mint winemaking immediately. loads. Joe’s objective is to produce wines true to their Stateside, Joe rooted his varietal character with as Drink now career as assistant wine- much depth, elegance, through 2013 maker at Elk Cove Vineyards opulence and balance of (1987–1988) and as flavor as possible. Yet he WOMC RATING winemaker at Eola Hills creates an artful synergy of 90 Points Cellars (1989 – 1991). Joe’s power and grace in his entrepreneurial spirit wines. This is a lovely Pinot ITEM #: 411R1 blossomed when he at an amazing price that will Retail Price: $15.99/each revamped select Hinman match a myriad of dishes Member Price: $9.99/each Vineyard’s wines into the from chicken to grilled Reorder Price: $7.99/each new Silvan Ridge Reserve salmon. 50% Discount 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 3 1 1 CLASSIC 0 2 Y A M he first vine stocks produce wines of extra- were brought to ordinary quality. The town of T Chile by the Villa Alegre is known for its Spanish priest Francisco de historical colonial houses and Carabantes in 1548. A few churches, for the orange years later Francisco de trees that adorn the main Aguirre planted the first street of the town and vineyards and produced the tree-lined avenues. first harvest in 1551. It was not until the mid-nineteenth The vineyards enjoy an exceptional climate. The day S century that Chile saw a E I significant transformation of and nighttime temperature R Chardonnay variation in the summer E its winemaking industry (Shar doe nay) S when a number of as well as the C I 2010 wealthy families full exposure to S S Sol de Chile introduced top- sunlight during A quality vine the ripening L Maule, Chile C stocks, such as period allow for Color: Cabernet superb tannin Very pale Sauvignon, development and Merlot, and excellent concen - Nose: Malbec. tration of aroma Fresh apple and color. The Palate: From generation vineyards are Slight with a hint to generation, the located less than of spice art of winemaking 60 miles from in Chile has evolved and the Pacific Ocean at 300 Finish: improved to where it has feet above sea level. The Apple and vanilla now earned a world-class vineyards' 400 acres are drip reputation. Five hundred irrigated in order to carefully years of history and tradition control the healthy growth of guarantee that our winery the grapes. will keep its promise of Drink now quality in every single bottle. Here is yet another through 2013 spectacular Chardonnay Viñedos Sol de Chile is from Chile offering pure, located near the picturesque unadulterated fruit with no WOMC RATING town of Villa Alegre in the oak or extended extraction. 89 Points heart of the Maule Valley, Its integrity will further shine which is 200 miles south of when matched with clams ITEM #: 411W1 Santiago, the capital of casino or grilled shrimp. Retail Price: $12.99/each Chile. The sunlight, the Member Price: $9.99/each crystal-clear water of the Reorder Price: $6.99/each Andes and the fertile soil 46% Discount combine beautifully to 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 4 M A CLASSIC Y 2 0 1 1 elebrated for its reflects the style of the hot sunny climate, final product. C historic monuments The 950 acres of vineyards and rich culinary tradition, are located on the southern Sicily has been producing coast of Sicily and are rich flavored and full-bodied housed in two holdings: wines since Greek and Sambuca di Sicilia Roman times. Well-known (Agrigento) and Acate for its warm Mediterranean (Ragusa). climate, hot sun, intense C light, and fertile soil, Sicily The vines are cultivated L has blossomed into one of A in straight lines, with Nero d’Avola S the world’s most promising approximately 2,200 vines S (Neh roe Dah voh lah) I C wine regions. per acre and a 2009 S production of E Stemmari R approximately Stemmari I cultivates its E 4-5 lbs. of Sicily, Italy S own grapes grapes per in two large Color: vine. The estates along Dark purple vineyards are the windy cared for on a Nose: south coast of daily basis by Earth, licorice and the island. A a group of tart cherry total of 1,500 five expert acres of estate Palate: agronomists vineyards are Leather and earth and a team of 100 people planted in single varietal mixed with lots in the fields. The vineyards fields in order to offer 100% of berries are also monitored by a single varietal wines to the computerized system that Finish: final consumer. precisely manages the Concentrated, tannic Stemmari’s new state-of- cultivation of the vines and with blackberry fruit the-art facilities are utilized the harvest of grapes. All of to take full advantage of these measures are taken in Drink now what this bountiful region order to obtain the highest through 2014 has to offer. In homage to level of quality Sicily has to the Sicilian tradition and offer. WOMC RATING territory, the winery of This is absolutely classic 89 Points the Stemmari Estate is Nero d’Avola, offering dense constructed in the traditional black fruit flavors and ITEM #: 411R2 baglio style (a rustic villa). structure with piquant Retail Price: $12.99/each The mix of state-of-the-art acidity to handle a hearty Member Price: $9.99/each technology and traditional marinara sauce.