I Can Only Say, “Amazing.” in 1972, a Young Man, Don Schliff Was Hired As the First Sales Representative of What Is Now a Ma

APRIL 2020

I can only say, “amazing.” In 1972, a young man, Don Schliff was hired as the first sales “Richard Mayson” leads the discussion “ Chef Wolfgang Puck ” representative of what is now a only allow 40 very exclusive guests, I was one of them. I sacrificed the first half of the Super Bowl mainstay of wholesale wine in to attend, and Don aptly renamed the event “The Super Bowl of Port.” Los Angeles, Wine Warehouse. Sound engineer turned wine salesman, and Don had One question I get quite frequently is, “how would a 100-year-old wine taste?” I can now confidently answer “incredible!” Let me clarify, regular still wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon much to experience. One of his first accounts was or Merlot will not survive 100 years. Thus, the age of the bottle becomes collectability, not my father’s store, Palos Verdes Wines and Sprits. A the character. Port, however, because it is fortified with wine spirits during the process of relationship with my father started that has endured manufacturing, can and will last. Well, the oldest wine we tasted Sunday was from 1834 or 185 through Don’s entire career culminating as President years old, and it was fabulous. Not just because it was that old, meaning that the age component of the organization for many years. Dons love of Port was essential to the character, but the wine was just flat out gorgeous. wine, and the collection began at this time and has culminated into one of the greatest collections of We started at 1834 and went thru 1844, 1851, 1858, 1870, 1887, 1908, 1912, 1927, 1931, 1945, Porto in the WORLD. 1955, 1963, 1970, 1983, 1994, 2000, 2011, 2017 and one mystery wine! Each unique and each was forcing one to find new terms to describe. Thankfully, there were the who’s who of the Our tenure together landed me an invitation to what port wine world to walk other wine dignitaries and me through the tasting. Richard Mayson Don billed as Decades of Tasting with only enough of (noted Porto authority) commented that this was probably one of the greatest Porto tastings some of the rarest vintages available in the world to 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. ever assembled. Oh, and just for fun, I had a great conversation with Wolfgang Puck (he created the days’ meal).

Did I mention the Champagne? As an aperitif, we had Krug 160-year Edition in Jeroboams (6 regular bottles). And at intermission, Jacquart Brut Mosaic, of course, there was intermission, can’t taste 20 something ports without a break!

More to come, but I did want to mention that the accumulated value of the wines was $57,630!! Guess it was worth half the Super Bowl! (anyway, the exciting part was the second half).

Salud,

Paul Kalemkiarian Owner/Cellarmaster “Darrell Corti” explains the 1844 port THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

FLASHBACK January 2006 Selection of Domestic Wine A LOOK BACK AT SOME STELLAR Petite Sirah, 2007. Congress Springs. $7.99/bottle (750 ml) SELECTIONS WITH ED MASCIANA This winery sat on the highest ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains and was one of the most legendary wines in the state. We featured it when it was its peak of popularity.

March 2010 Selection of Domestic Wine Havens, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. $8.99/bottle (750 ml) After more than 30 years of winemaking and building an incredibly successful brand for over 20 years, Michael and Kathryn sold their winery to an investment group in 2006. Michael stayed on as a consultant to make sure that the wines lived up to his reputation. But didn’t have to deal with the day to day routine of running a very complicated business. The investment group that took over tanked it in three years, and Michael had to come back and liquidate the inventory. Guess who got first dibs? WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Classic PR Merlot. Vineyard designate. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * SUSPICION v 2016 MERLOT 96 Paso Robles, California 13.4 % Alcohol by Volume

“ mur • loh ”

Suspicion is crafted by Ancient Peaks Winery and Vineyard in Paso Robles, a COLOR showplace destination for private parties, weddings, and great wines. Its pride Very Deep of ownership is the Santa Margarita Ranch, a distinctive vineyard settled by the Purple missionaries in the late 1700s. NOSE The vineyard is the only vineyard in the Santa Margarita Ranch area. Beginning in Blueberry, 1999 the vineyard was planted by none other than Robert Mondavi. He saw the Lilac great potential. PALATE Today three prominent families control the ranch and winery. Doug Fillipponi is Full, Jack Fruit, Spice COO, he is also president of Fillipponi-Thompson Drilling. Rob Rossi, a Paso native who introduced the Robert Mondavi Winery to Santa Margarita’s stunning grapes. FINISH And Karl Wittstrom, a longtime Paso rancher and grape grower. One look at this Continuing Swirl stunning property, and you know these guys know what they’re doing.

Merlot is a relative newcomer to Paso Robles, and despite what some wineries PAIRING Red Meat, think further north, it has flourished here like few others. Santa Margarita is Game further west than most, so it relies on the cool ocean breezes to improve the temperature, a condition in which Merlot thrives. It is mostly used as a blending CELLAR grape with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. But, here it shines brightly on Now through 2025 its offering supple blueberry and cranberry flavors to enhance beef ribs off the grill or smoked spare ribs with jalapeno jelly. ID: C0420R1DC Comparable Price: $18.95 Reorder Price: $9.49

Comparable Price: A price comparable to wines of similar grapes, vintage and region. * 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 TASTING NOTES

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Been trying for years to land this one. Here it is. ” – PK VILLA e SCO lu RE a * SAN-JULIETTE v 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC 97 Paso Robles, California 12.4 % Alcohol by Volume

“ saw • VEE • nyon • blahnk ”

Ken and Julie Warwick took an unconventional route to get into the wine COLOR business. They were born in Liverpool, England, and grew up to produce Very Pale Emmy winning television shows. You may have heard of one... it’s called American Idol. NOSE As producers, they traveled extensively to interview and audition new talent. Spice, One of those auditions occurred in Paso Robles. For those of you who have Fresh Herbs heard similar stories, we all know the ending. They fell in love with the area and its wines and decided that this was their new calling. So, in 2005, Villa PALATE Clean Peach, San-Juliette was born. Citrus Like most wine newbies, they realized early on that they didn’t know a thing FINISH about growing grapes or making wine. Fortunately, there are a lot of people Very Crisp in Paso Robles who do. That lead them to winemaker, Dan Smith, an Oregon native who graduated Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in wine and viticulture. PAIRING Fish, Though the climate is quite different between the Willamette Valley and Paso Fowl Robles, the mindset isn’t. Dan brought with him a sense of delicacy, nuance, and complexity that, when mixed with lower alcohol levels, produce wines CELLAR that envelop the palate, not assaulted it. Now through 2022

Our selection is a perfect example of Dan’s lighter touch. Picking took almost a week as only the mature grapes were harvested. Thus, assuring the delicate aromas would be held in suspension ID: C0420W1DC by the lively acidity for as long as possible. This lovely Comparable Price: $13.99 combination would sing with shrimp in a basil cream sauce. Reorder Price: $8.49

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MOVE RECENTLY? CREDIT CARD LOST OR STOLEN? To ensure uninterrupted delivery of your hand selected wine, please update your credit card information and/or shipping information online: www.womclub.com/update or call us at 1-800-949-9463 to update

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Beautiful expression, good winemaking. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * ACCOUTRE v 2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON Paso Robles, California 96 13.9 % Alcohol by Volume “ CAB • burr • NAY SAW • veen • YON ”

Our Accoutre selection is made at the Arciero Winery and Vineyards in Paso Robles. The Arciero story is quite colorful. It can be explained in three words that have COLOR Deep Crimson probably never been used in one sentence before; wine, racing, and concrete. Then, there’s the story. NOSE The Arciero brothers, Frank and Phil, emigrated to the United States from a small Plum, town in Italy in the 1930s with very little money between them. Phil was a Chocolate decorated soldier in World War II and, upon return to the US, decided that there was going to be a lot of building needed for the returning GIs. So, they set their PALATE Dense Cherry, sites on cement. Spice

They came from an agricultural background, and though they left it in Italy, it FINISH never left them. So, while amassing a vast enterprise in construction, they were Astonishing, also purchasing land for agriculture as well as their country’s favorite beverage, Long Fruit wine. But that wasn’t enough. PAIRING Red Meat, A budding passion for building racing equipment lets them cross paths with the Game likes of Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, and Roger Penske. They built a 13,000 square foot facility in Southern California to construct exotic racing equipment. CELLAR Now through 2028 And, not to be outdone, they crafted a monumental winery in Paso Robles and planted 700 acres of grapes in 1986. Our selection is a product of that venture and a delicious one at that. Our Cabernet comes from 30-year-old vines ID: C0420R2DC just reaching their prime and producing a Cabernet for the ages to Comparable Price: $18.95 grace any venison dish or the Arciero favorite, Osso Buco. Reorder Price: $9.49

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Love the new vintage .” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * GRAN PASSIONE v 2017 BIANCO 95 Veneto IGT, Italy 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ B’YAHN • coh ”

Almost 100 years ago, a Venetian countryman named Carlo Botter had COLOR enough of all the talk of the best Italian wines coming from places like Very Pale Chianti and Piedmont. So, he set his mind to show the world what great Italian wine was like from Veneto. NOSE He began by buying bulk wine from local producers and blending them to Apple, Pear, Kiwi his liking. Then he contracted with wineries to crush and bottle the grapes he purchased from his favorite vineyards. It wasn’t long before his “grand PALATE passion” was born and eventually his own winery. Today the company is run Prickly Pear by the third generation and produces over four million cases of wine a year. FINISH We love stories like this almost as much as we love the wines. We especially Slight love the wines of Veneto, this one in particular. It is a blend of 80% Citrus Rind Chardonnay and 20% Garganega, the principal grape in Soave. The wine sees PAIRING no oak, so the flavors can integrate and blossom without any interference. Seafood, These clean, crisp whites from Italy were unheard of 30 years ago. Back then, Vegetarian they made whites the same as reds, throw them in a barrel and top them off once in a while. As a result, the wines were oxidized and tired. CELLAR Now through 2022 Then they discovered cold fermentation in stainless steel, and almost overnight, these lovely wines were coming from all over Italy. The shy apple and pear make ID: C0420W2II an excellent foil for curried chicken salad or crab cakes. Comparable Price: $14.50 Reorder Price: $8.49

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE ” Amazing value. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * CAL FRESCO v 2016 PINOT NOIR Central Coast, California 96 14.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ PEE • noh NWAR ”

The Cal Fresco story is one of those that we love to hear. It’s about the Ehlers Family’s trials and tribulations they endured but never succumbed to. It began in COLOR 1921 When Herman Ehlers was working at a Lodi winery as a teenager doing the Lovely Garnet lowest job on the pole, moving barrels from one part of the winery to another as space was needed. NOSE Red Apple, Herman wasn’t destined to be a barrel mover. His curiosity and learning ability Cherry enabled him to realize his destiny and become the winemaker a few years later. Unfortunately, it was during Prohibition, so Herman learned the art of making PALATE “sacramental” wine. A stunning amount of sacramental wine was made during Smooth, this time. Ripe Berry FINISH Herman’s offspring would go on to carry in their fathers, grandfathers, and great Medium Grip grandfather’s footsteps in creating wine and brandy for Korbel, Paul Masson, and The Guild, three of the most prominent wineries of the time. PAIRING In 1980 Walter and his son, Steven, secured and planted 80 acres of grapes to the Fish, Fowl, Tokay, a popular sweet jug wine variety. But, Fetzer came along and told them that Game if they converted those grapes to Merlot, they would get triple the price. That’s all CELLAR it took. Now through 2026 Today, the Ehlers Family is still celebrating its history by making exceptional wine like our selection. Our Pinot Noir has received numerous accolades for its superb cherry and vanilla components along with spice and ID: V0420R1DC mint to tackle anything from grilled salmon with fennel to a Comparable Price: $19.99 black truffle rigatoni. Reorder Price: $13.49

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Fell in love with the nose. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * STEPHEN VINCENT v 2016 CHARDONNAY 94 Paso Robles, California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ SHAR • doh • NAY ” Stephen Vincent Situm came to own his own winery in the best way possible. He worked his way up by learning from those who knew like Gallo, Mondavi, COLOR and Zellerbach of Hanzell. He also worked for one of the pioneers in importing Medium great wines from France, Draper, and Esquin. Gold NOSE After 40 years, he decided to partner up with Bob Goyette, founder of La Crema Vanilla, Green and Hosssein Namdar, a vineyard owner, and manager in Lake County and Apple Spice Sonoma. And so it was in 2003 that it all came together. PALATE Rich Tropical They all knew that wine is made at a vineyard, so that’s where they started. Fruit Instead of spending money on a winery, they spent it on a vineyard. You can make the wine anywhere, but you can’t grow the grapes anywhere. So, they FINISH planted grapes in some of the best parts of Sonoma and purchased grapes Endless from other premium vineyards. And contracted with custom crush facilities, like, Wine Hooligans, (how could you not love that name?) and off they went. PAIRING Fish, We were familiar with Vincent’s wines from the very beginning, but he never Fowl made enough for us to feature them. When he finally did, we wasted no time in securing this fabulous selection. CELLAR Now through 2025 Our Chardonnay comes of grapes from mostly Monterey County with additions from Edna Valley and Lodi. The cobblestone and sea matter in the soil blends seamlessly with the cool climate to make wine of incredible ID: V0420W1DC complexity. The length and complexity of this gem would be Comparable Price: $19.99 perfect with lobster thermidor or a scallop mousse. Reorder Price: $12.49

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Pure malbec. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * DANTE ROBINO v 2016 MALBEC Mendoza, Argentina 97 13.0% Alcohol by Volume “ mal BEK ”

Santos and José Robino founded Dante Robino in 1949 in the heart of Argentina’s COLOR premium wine district, Mendoza. From humble beginnings, they grew to produce Opaque Purple nearly one million cases of wine, half of which is sparkling from their 1,000 acres of vineyards. NOSE The winery is currently owned by the Squassini Family, direct descendants of Currants, Plum the original founders. In their quest to produce the finest wines possible, they enlisted the famous Paul Hobbs as their consulting winemaker. Paul is renowned worldwide in the Wine Industry as one of the finest international winemakers on PALATE Rich, the planet. Medium Tannins Hobbs has worked as a winemaker for Opus One and Simi. He later advised such FINISH names as Peter Michael, Fisher, Lewis, and Catena, among others. He founded Paul Richly Textured, Hobbs Winery in 1991 and nowadays is one of the most renowned flying wine Black Cherry consultants in the world. PAIRING Our selection is nothing short of a world-class Malbec from the country, which Red Meat, does it better than anyone else. Here are all the explosive characteristics of great Game Malbec from Mendoza. CELLAR Now through 2030 The stunningly dark and imposing color signals the dense flavors to come and does it ever. Dark chocolate combined with blackberry and leather form a massive combination. That would love roast leg of lamb on a mesquite fired rotisserie finished with garlic and caramelize shallots or a charred ID: L0420R1IF steak topped with onion rings and sitting on pureed hominy Comparable Price: $17.98 doused with garlic and fresh mint. Reorder Price: $13.49

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Classic PG from Terre Degli Osci. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * ALVERDI v 2017 PINOT GRIGIO 97 Terre degli Osci, Italy 12.4 % Alcohol by Volume “ PEE • noh GREE • joe ”

Our selection is made and imported by the Opici Winery. Their story began in COLOR 1899 when Battista Opici traveled from Italy to New Jersey with his wife and Very Pale sons. His son, Joseph, and his wife, Esther, began working in the wholesale beverage industry in 1913. They imported wines from Italy and sold them throughout the city of Paterson. For twenty years, the business grew steadily. NOSE Acacia, But in the early 1930s, the Opicis fell on hard times as the Depression and Peach Prohibition hit. PALATE After struggling through, they managed to save enough money to buy land Guava, in Cucamonga and establish their first winery in 1939. After serving in WWII, Melon Joseph’s son, Hubert, rejoined the family business and reconnected with his FINISH family roots in Italy. It was there that the Opicis began importing wines from Lively their homeland like our Alverdi Pinot Grigio. Citrus PAIRING The winery is located in the Terre Degli Osci appellation of Abruzzi. It is so small Rich Pasta, that it doesn’t even show on the World Atlas of Wine. But, that’s probably all for the Veal, Fowl better as they can spend their time making wine instead of entertaining tourists. CELLAR Now through 2022 Pinot Grigio is one of the most planted grapes in Italy. It is grown in every province and made in every style. Most of those made in the South, are heartier with more flesh and body. Ours is such a selection. The weight on the palate and bold flavors make it a natural with ID: V0420W2II compelling dishes like pasta Puttanesca or Osso Buco atop a Comparable Price: $18.99 saffron risotto. Reorder Price: $12.49

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE ” Smooth expression of Cotes du Rhone. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * LES COLLINES v 2017 CÔTES DU RHÔNE 98 A.O.C. Côtes du Rhône, France 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ coat • do • roan ”

Leon Perdigal was born in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, so it’s safe to say he was COLOR born into wine. When Mason Ogier was founded in 1859, Perdigal was their Very Deep Purple first winemaker and the first to age their wine in oak barrels. As a result, Ogier became one of the most heralded wineries in the region. NOSE He founded Leon Perdigal, which is now run by his fifth generation. However, Lilac, Spice, Cherry the bond between Ogier and Perdigal has lasted for over a century as they still share the same winemaker in Armelle Barbanson. PALATE Rich, Armelle has undoubtedly made a name for herself in this almost male- Medium Tannins dominated arena and as a result, so has Perdigal. She has retained the use of FINISH oak barrels, which adds a softer dimension to the wines and actually lowers the Exceedingly Long alcohol slightly. In other words, it’s all good. PAIRING Our Cotes du Rhone is made precisely as Châteauneuf-du-Pape is made except a Grilled Meat different area. Those areas could be next door, but the appellation draws a very serious line. The grapes here are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault and could easily be considered Chateauneuf until one sees the price. CELLAR Now through 2027 Les Collines translates to the hills, the finest part of their vineyard. This offering from the spectacular 2107 vintage is everything you could expect and more. Thunderous cherry, spice, licorice, and earth would rip ID: L0420R1IF through the saddle of lamb cooked on an open pit or a veal Comparable Price: $24.99 chop with porcini mushrooms. Reorder Price: $16.99

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE ” Great Bordeaux at this price…yes please. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * CHÂTEAU BRIOT v 2015 BORDEAUX 97 A.O.C. Bordeaux, France 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume

“ bore • DOH ”

Château Briot is part of the Ducort family of chateaux. The company was COLOR founded in 1858 by Pierre Ducort in Entre-Deux-Mers, basically the middle Deep Garnet of the Bordeaux appellation. Eventually, the company built 14 châteaux in six different appellations covering over 1,000 acres. NOSE The family has held on through wars, depressions, and the vagaries of the Raspberry, wine business and now controls a vast empire of chateaux in the most Spice, Vanilla recognized name in the wine world, Bordeaux. One thing about companies PALATE with this kind of history is they never forget their humble beginnings, trials, Lush Plum, and tribulations. And they make sure every generation is brought up to speed Cassis and held accountable. FINISH Briot is one of the Ducort’s flagship properties. It consists of 100 acres with equal Medium to amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon under the direction of Philippe Ducort. Full Tannins The grapes are harvested just after sunrise, while it’s still very cool. They are then PAIRING brought to the château and are placed on a conveyor belt where workers remove Red Meat, the leaves and under-ripe grapes before they go into the crusher. Game

Once crushed, the temperature is lowered to 40º where the grapes can very CELLAR slowly extract color and flavor from the skins. This process is only done in Now through 2030 spectacular vintages, and 2015 is certainly recognized as such. Lesser vintages would accentuate the tannins and produce too much tartness in the wine. Here they balance the lovely fruit that would ID: L0420R2IF make it a fine foil roast squab with dried cranberries or Comparable Price: $23.99 wild boar cooked in juniper. Reorder Price: $16.99

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

e SCO lu RE a * DOMAINE DE RIEUX v 2018 CÔTES DE GASCOGNE 96 A.O.C. Côtes de Gascogne, France 10.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ coat • deh • gask • on • nay ”

Not only is the Côtes de Gascogne, one of our favorite places for white wine. It is one of our favorite places for brandy, namely Armagnac. Rieux is owned by COLOR Very Pale Chateau du Tariquet a producer of very fine Armagnac. The same grapes are used for both, Ugni Blanc and Colombard. It was first formed in 1912 by the Artaud Family but upended by the WWI. Then it was purchased several times NOSE before until the Grassa Family acquired it, unfortunately just before WWII. Peach, Pear, You have to hand it to these people. They don’t give up. Granite PALATE Finally, Pierre Grassa was able to make fine Armagnac, but so did many Lovely Floral others, and sales began to slow some 20 years ago. Grassa experimented with making white wines from his Ugni Blanc and Colombard grapes and Voila! FINISH Rieux was born as was new wine, Côtes de Gascogne. Citrus Edge

It was an instant hit. Nobody ever knew just how incredible these two rather ordinary grapes, grown all over the world, could make such an astonishing PAIRING Seafood, Fowl wine. Ugni Blanc is known as Trebbiano in Italy and is the most prolific white in the country. Colombard is grown all over California for mainly jug wines. But, in Gascogne, they create magic. CELLAR Now through 2022 Obviously, it’s the soil, and though there is no technical explanation, who really needs one? Here they produce luscious exciting wines with balance and beauty to absolutely rock with scallops with tomato and ID: L0420W3IF chives or Cajun catfish. Comparable Price: $25.00 Reorder Price: $14.99

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ One of my favorite whites…always ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * LES COLLINES v 2017 CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 97 A.O.C. Côtes du Rhône, France 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ coat • do • roan blonk”

Leon Perdigal was the son of a master cooper in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As COLOR such, he hung around winemakers discussing the properties and limitations Very Pale oak brings to the wine. He became so knowledgeable about the subject that when Mason Ogier was founded in 1859, he was installed as their first winemaker. To no one’s surprise, he was the first in the area to age his wines NOSE Floral, Fruit, in oak barrels. Spice Over 150 years later, the Perdigal family still uses oak barrels and even share PALATE a winemaker with Ogier, Armelle Barbanson. She is one of the few women Extracted Lilac, winemakers here and, to no one’s surprise, one of the best. She may also be Peach the only female winemaker to craft a white wine in the Rhone. FINISH Spicy Flecks, White wine in the Rhone Valley accounts for less than 5% of the wines made Tropical here. But, that’s no reason to ignore them. They are spectacular and probably PAIRING so because they are so rare, and winemakers take particular interest in Seafood, making them perfect. Our selection is nothing short of a perfect example. Vegetarian

Armelle uses no oak here to preserve the natural freshness and character CELLAR Now through 2022 of each grape. The grapes are Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Viognier. A rather unique mix in that the complexity of flavors is staggering. From spices to flowers to fruit and soil, here is a heady mixture that would foil all comers from grilled salmon to spicy ID: L0420W4IF Portuguese smoked sausage. Comparable Price: $22.99 Reorder Price: $14.99

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Mel Masters is the master. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * LE CHARMEL v 2018 ROSÉ 97 Loire Valley, France 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume

“ bore • DOH ”

If you met Mel Master of Winesellers Ltd., you’d never guess how successful COLOR he’s been. Successful people aren’t usually that interesting, that jovial and Fresh Pink that much fun to hang out with. Well, Mel’s been hanging out with us since the beginning, 48 years ago, and it’s as much fun today as it was then. NOSE Apricot, Mel started in the wine business in his native England but saw a bigger Peach market in the United States. In the beginning, he brought in French wines that of great values. One day he came to the store and announced that he PALATE and his lovely wife, Janie, are moving to Provence and opening a winery. We Full Flavors thought he was kidding. He wasn’t. FINISH He established Les Jumelles soon afterword, and it didn’t take long for that Touch of Citrus brand to become one of the most significant imports in the U.S. Mel would be the first to tell you that it’s no secret. You put out a great wine at a great price, PAIRING and people will buy it. He now imports wine from no less than 14 countries Fish, Fowl, and is probably the only guy around who we would consider buying wine Vegetarian from without even tasting it. That’s how good they are. CELLAR Now through 2022 This beauty made from Cabernet Franc and Gamay comes from the Loire Valley, an area that runs neck-in-neck with Provence for making the best rosés in the world. The fresh peach and cherry blasts from the glass and begs to be consumed with either smoked ID: R0420R1IF salmon or mussels in a saffron broth. Comparable Price: $15.00 Reorder Price: $10.00

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ First 2019’s I loved. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * LA DOMITIENNE v 2019 GRENACHE GRIS 96 IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert, France 13.0% Alcohol by Volume “ Grey • NOSH gree ”

La Domitienne is part of a massive coop, though privately owned by the Bonfils COLOR Family, a significant force in the Provence wine culture. The name comes from the Pale Pink road the Romans used to control Gaul, which today is known as France.

Very few wine areas in the world have risen in prominence in the last 30 years as NOSE much as Provence. The relatively warm temperature produced alcoholic, coarse Stone Fruit, wines that were used as blending agents for other areas in France. The only Citrus problem was that the wines were sold for less than they cost to produce. PALATE Expansive Fruit Entrepreneurs like the Bonfils began acquiring small producers to assemble a united group that would concentrate on quality instead of quantity. What they discovered was the area had more diversity in soils than they had ever imagined FINISH and began a massive data collection process to isolate each of them. Floral, Citrus

The result was the plantings of over 100 different varietals that were new to the PAIRING region and they have adapted better than what was already there. Grenache Gris Seafood, Fowl, was one of those new varietals introduced. It is also known as Grenache Blanc, a Vegetarian grape that has literally exploded on the scene in France, Spain, Italy, California, and Australia. Gris means “gray” and refers to the slightly darker skin than most CELLAR Now through 2023 white grapes. Just a little contact with the skin, and you have that lovely blush color.

Ours is true to form with outstanding bursts of tropical ID: R0420R2IF fruit, orange peel, and peach. It’s perfect with chicken Comparable Price: $25.00 piccata or crab cakes. Reorder Price: $15.00

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Bordeaux value at its best. ” – PK

CHÂTEAU SC e O lu RE a * PASCAUD v 2015 BORDEAUX SUPERIEUR 96 A.O.C. Bordeaux, France 14.5% Alcohol by Volume “ bore • DOH ”

Château Pascaud was built in 1892 as a primarily vacation spot. It had architecture COLOR with a cross between an English country house and a luxury Mediterranean villa. Very Deep At the time, they didn’t even have vineyards. Purple After all, this is Bordeaux, the most famous wine region in the world. Some years NOSE later, the estate was purchased by the Averil family. They purchased the adjoining Violets, vineyard and a new Bordeaux estate was born. Plum

The Averil’s spent considerable time improving the vineyards and adding PALATE Rich, Extracted winemaking equipment. The fifth-generation owner, Bernard Averil, has just Blackberry completed a similar task and made the estate sustainable as well. FINISH Location in Bordeaux is critical. Just a few feet can make a difference as to how Long, the wine is designated. Because the vineyard crosses two borders, it cannot be Medium Tannins labeled after a place of origin, though it is mostly in Fronsac and very close to Saint-Émilion. As a result, Pascaud can’t get the prices those other châteaus get, PAIRING Red Meat but that doesn’t mean it’s not in the same league.

Two things come into play here. First, the 2016 vintage will be considered one of CELLAR the finest in Bordeaux. It isn’t yet because 2015 is still getting all the accolades, Now through 2030 but it’s just a matter of time.

This beauty is 80% merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and exhibits all the grace and style of Classified Growth Bordeaux from the ID: B0420R1IF dense color and earth tones to the lilting berry. Perfect with Comparable Price: $22.00 Chateaubriand and Lyonnaise Potatoes. Reorder Price: $13.50

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Château Bordeaux that is classic. ” – PK

e SCO lu R CHÂTEAU a E * DES LAURETS v 2015 BORDEAUX 97 A.O.C. Bordeaux, France 14.5% Alcohol by Volume

“ bore • DOH ”

Sometimes the label doesn’t give you all the essential information. We COLOR know that Laurets comes from the spectacular 2015 vintage and is in a Very Deep sub-appellation of Saint-Émilion, all of which provides us with great Crimson anticipation. NOSE The chateau was built in 1860 and enjoyed an excellent reputation for Black nearly 150 years when it was purchased by Edmond de Rothschild of Cherry Chateau Latour. Once that is thrown into the mix, the lens narrows down PALATE to a very fine point as it doesn’t get any bigger than those two names. Dense Plum, Chocolate As good as the wines were before, they are even better now. Along with the Rothschild name comes the responsibility and the expectations that FINISH Spice what is in the bottle is extraordinary no matter where the grapes came and Cassis from, and they never fail to deliver. PAIRING The average age of the vines is 25 years, and they are spaced very close Red Meat together, which means there are almost twice as many vines per acre than what you’d find in most vineyards. It also means each vine need only CELLAR produce about half the grapes to get the same yield. Like any agricultural Now through 2030 product, less is more. The less produced, the more the flavor.

The result, of course, is monumental. While still a powerful experience, Laurets also exhibits the subtlety range of great ID: B0420R2IF Bordeaux to enhance any dish from pork loin in a mustard Comparable Price: $34.99 sauce or a wedge of Stilton. Reorder Price: $29.00

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Full expression of area. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE CHÂTEAU a * LA ROSE DU PIN v 2018 BORDEAUX BLANC 96 AOC Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ bore • DOH BLONK ”

When scientists hear the word limestone, they think of sedimentary rock, COLOR fossilized sea matter, and calcium carbonate. Say chalk to a teachers, and Very Pale they think writing. Say these words to a wine person, and we get thirsty. Add Sauvignon Blanc, and we get really thirsty. NOSE Granite, Chalk, That’s the grape and soil makeup at La Rose du Pin, and it doesn’t get any White Peach better. There’s something about this combination that is magical, and they should know. They’ve been making wine for over 150 years, and their 35 PALATE acres of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon prove it. Swirling Peach, Lime La Rose du Pin is in the center of Bordeaux, known for its spectacular white FINISH wines grown in the Entre-Deux-Mers, “between two seas.” That’s not just Long, Extracted a name which reflects its geography; it also says how special this place is. Grapes love to be grown on land that was formerly a body of water. The PAIRING remains of what lived in that water are some of the best soil on Earth in Shellfish, which to grow them, especially Sauvignon Blanc. Fowl

The grapes here are picked early in the morning and immediately crushed CELLAR Now through 2022 with skin contact for 24 hours. This procedure helps intensity the flavors and, along with the soil, present a gripping finish. The stone fruit and dried fig mix with mango and guava to offer an unbelievable array of flavors to match sautéed shrimp with ginger and lime or ID: B0420W1IF crab coquettes in mint pesto. Comparable Price: $27.00 Reorder Price: $16.99

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ First time I have tasted… in love. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * SALVESTRIN v 2014 RED BLEND 97 Napa, California 14.8 % Alcohol by Volume

John and Emma Salvestrin emigrated from Cavaso, Italy, in 1932 to COLOR purchase their home in Napa, complete with a 23-acre vineyard. That St. Opaque Helena vineyard was initially planted in the 1850s by Doctor George Crane Purple as a place of respite. The vineyard added a little income to the estate, so all was well. At his passing in 1889, he had amassed over 100 acres of grapes. NOSE Over the years and through the torture of Prohibition, the property was Dark Plum, Licorice parceled off to various owners. The Salvestrins purchased the original 23 acres and named it Dr. Crane Vineyard in commemoration. PALATE Dense Fruit, What is interesting here is that it wasn’t until 1994 when the third Dark Chocolate generation made their first wine, manned by Rich Salvestrin. The winery FINISH was constructed in 2001, but is wasn’t unti 2012 when they made their first Blueberry, wine from Dr. Crane Vineyard. Spice PAIRING Our Cavaso selection was named after the town, located in Trentino, where Red Meat the grandparents of the current generation hailed. It is nothing less than a classic homage to Napa and particularly to one of the oldest vineyards in the state. The blend is 61% Merlot, 31% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah and 2% CELLAR Now through 2030 Cabernet Sauvignon. The finished wine was aged in 35% new French and American oak for 18 months so that all the flavors could integrate. The result is as complex as imaginable throwing dark fruit and silky texture at very turn and just waiting for pork tenderloin in a mustard ID: N0420R1DC sauce pinched by tarragon. Comparable Price: $35.00 Reorder Price: $24.00

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

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

e SCO lu RE a * TYROS v 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 97 Napa Valley, California 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ CAB • burr • NAY SAW • veen • YON ”

A very unique winery crafts our Tyros selection in the Oak Knoll district of COLOR Napa, Silenus. It is the brainchild of Scott Meadows, a University of Utah Very Deep grad who worked in Tokyo, creating language learning software for Apple. Purple Wine was becoming very popular, and when he had his first glass of Château Latour, it was game over. He now wanted to speak the language of wine. NOSE Black Currant, He moved to Napa in 2001 and eventually founded Silenus. Because of his Plum, Spice background and learning from place to place on how to make wine, he PALATE decided to create one for others. So, though Silenus makes its own wine, Soft Cherry, they invite others to share in, learning, and producing as well, a joint effort. Vanilla It’s similar to a coop, except with more interaction between those involved. FINISH Everlasting This brings us to Tyros. It is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot. The grapes came from three separate vineyards in Napa, all with their own personal imprint on the wine. After fermentation, the wine was PAIRING aged for 28 months in French oak barrels, 50% of which were new. Red Meat

Aging in oak does two things. It adds a spice and vanilla dimension, but if CELLAR overdone it can add too much and obscure the flavor. That’s why only 50% Now through 2028 was new. It also reduces the alcohol because alcohol evaporates quicker than water. By doing so, it allows the wine to age more gracefully. Try with a venison loin in a tart cranberry sauce and enjoy! ID: N0420R2DC Comparable Price: $39.99 Reorder Price: $25.00

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Firm backbone…big wine. ”– PK

e SCO lu RE a * CLIFF LEDE v 2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC 98 Napa Valley, California 14.2 % Alcohol by Volume “ Sew • Veen • YON • Blon ”

Cliff Lede founded his winery in 2002, creating a spectacular estate vineyard and COLOR winery in the heart of Napa. He spared no expense in hiring the best people in the Medium industry to plan and plant his vineyard, build his winery, and eventually make his wine. Yellow

You don’t need a calculator to figure out the difference between planting Sauvignon NOSE Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Napa Valley. Basically, you can charge more Floral, Spicy, Guava, Peach than double for the Cabernet. So, one must be so committed to Sauvignon Blanc as the money is secondary. Cliff has that commitment, and it shows in the wine. PALATE Forward Stone Two-thirds of the wine was fermented in oak barrels and then transferred to Fruit, Citrus stainless steel to get just a hint of oak. It was then aged on the tiny bits of pulverized FINISH seeds and skin to pick up the gripping mouthfeel. Almost Endless Our selection is the result of three different grapes—first, the classic Sauvignon PAIRING Blanc, then Musqué Clone of Sauvignon Blanc and finally Semillon. The classic Fish, Fowl, Sauvignon Blanc is the backbone of the blend, establishing structure and acidity. Vegetarian The Musqué adds its signature aromas and flavors of fresh-cut flowers, spice, and pear, and the Semillon contributes the fig and guava. CELLAR Now through 2025 The complexity here is almost exhausting. It enters and descends on the palate in a constant swirl of exotic flavors and textures. It demands demanding foods, rich sauces, and the like. Scallops in ID: N0420W1DC Beurre Blanc, Black Cod in cilantro and mint pesto, or just a Comparable Price: $27.00 roasted chicken with rosemary would shine through. Reorder Price: $22.00

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WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ The famed Dodger manager hit this out of the park. ” – PK LASORDA e SCO lu RE a * FAMILY WINES v 2017 PINOT NOIR 97 Paso Robles, California 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ PEE • noh NWAR ”

Ask any baseball fan from any city, who are the two most popular Dodgers in COLOR history, and most of them would get it wrong. One of them never played in a Deep game, while the other played 60 years ago. Magenta With all the great names in Dodger history like Duke Snyder, Roy Campanella, NOSE Sandy Koufax, and Jackie Robinson, most fans would choose announcer Vin Dark Cherry, Scully and Tommy Lasorda. Mint, Truffle

Lasorda is well known for all the hilarity, World Series rings, and famous rants. PALATE Imposing But actually, Lasorda came from a family of restaurateurs and home winemakers. Presence So it comes as no surprise that owning a winery is about as natural as bunting with a man on second and no outs. FINISH Long & Lovely Lasorda has used the same strategy as a famous manager to make great wine; But Subdued hire the best people you can. That strategy lead him to Terry Culton, a 20- year veteran winemaker who has embraced Pinot Noir as his go-to grape and PAIRING Fish, excelled in making them in California’s most suitable appellations. But, Napa Fowl, Game wasn’t one of them. Terry and Tommy decided to check out other places and chose Monterey. It wasn’t a tough choice, as many of the best Pinot Noirs come CELLAR from Monterey, and we all know Lasorda’s best take on the best. Now through 2028

Grapes were picked at optimum ripeness and went into an arduous, cold fermentation lasting twice as long as normal. Thus bringing out all the flavor of this gem to hit the ball out of ID: P0420R1DC the park. A perfect pair with grilled salmon and tomato Comparable Price: $33.00 coulis or rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic. Reorder Price: $29.00

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

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

e SCO lu RE a * AIKEN v 2014 PINOT NOIR 97 Russian River Valley, California 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume points “ PEE • noh NWAR ”

Joel Aiken always thought he’d be a farmer and enjoyed the thought. He set his COLOR sights on Fresno State, one of the best agriculture schools in the nation. Since Very Deep Crimson most of his friends were going to Davis, Joel changed his mind and, once seeing the wine program at Davis, changed his mind about his future. NOSE He worked the harvest at Inglenook in 1980 and then went back to Davis for Violets, Spice, Cherry his master’s in biology. After graduation, he landed an enology position at BV, working with the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff, who had retired ten years earlier PALATE but still consulted. Rich Cherry

Aiken knew he was in a special company and used it to acquire as much FINISH information from Andre as he could. After all, it was Tchelistcheff who made the Medium Tannins first Cabernet of note in the Napa Valley, Beaulieu Vineyards Private Reserve, in 1936. As a result, Joel advanced to winemaker at 28 and became the youngest PAIRING winemaker in BV history. Fish, Game, Vegetarian His legendary status made him an instant celebrity. He was called on for advice so many times that he ended up starting his own consulting business and making CELLAR wine when he found exceptional grapes. Such was the case with our selection. Now through 2030

It was Sonoma Mountain were Joel found those grapes and crafted this fantastic wine. Here is mountain fruit at its best with penetrating presence ID: P0420R2DC of cherry and plum, spice, and vanilla match all comers from Comparable Price: $55.00 swordfish diablo to chicken cacciatore. Reorder Price: $35.00

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 RECIPES CELLAR NOTES A report on how previous selections are faring with age. Obtained from actual tastings of Crispy Skin Duck Breast wines under optimal storage conditions. Serves: 2 INGREDIENTS CLASSIC SERIES 2 duck breast April 2018: salt and pepper Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015. Crusted Pie. Still PREPARATION going strong Sprinkle salt and pepper on skin and score Grenache Blanc, 2015. Zaca Mesa. Drink or hold with a sharp knife being careful to not break Syrah, 2013. Zaca Mesa. Drink or hold. through to the meat. You should score the Chardonnay, 2014. Pacific Oasis. Ready. width and length of the breast making April 2019 : about ¼ inch squares. Red Blend, 2011. Sassenage. Ready. Pinot Grigio, 2017. Discoveries. Drink. Let rest in fridge for 4-5 hours or even overnight. Place at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Zinfandel, 2015. Piledriver. Drink or hold Sauvignon Blanc, 2018. 2 Copas. Perfect now. Place breast skin side down on a medium heat cast iron skillet for about 8-10 minutes you should be able to see most of the fat has rendered away from the skin. Turn over. You should notice a golden brown color on the skin. VINTNERS SERIES March 2019: Cook for 3-5 minutes until instant read thermometer reads just under 130 degrees drain on Malbec, 2015. Finca Saurez. Drink or hold. paper towel for 10 minutes. Should be served medium to medium rare or it can be tough. Cotes Du Rhone, 2015. Dom Des Espeirs. Years to go. Serve with Suspicion Merlot, Dante Robino Malbec or Perdigal Cotes du Rhone. Ventoux, 2015. Cave Beaumont. Still great. Ventoux, 2013. Cave Beaumont Prestige. Best now. Chicken Piccata Chardonnay, 2017. Terre Eulalie. Drink or Serves: 3 - 4 hold. INGREDIENTS Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013. Tylers Curveball. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves Ready. ½ cup flour Gruner Veltliner, 2015. Circum. Drink up. ¼ tsp. salt 1 pinch ground black pepper March. 2020: Petit Verdot, 2017. The Big Red Wine Beast. 3 tbs. grated parmesan cheese Years to go. 4 tbs. extra virgin olive oil Chardonnay, 2016. Roald Wine Company. 4 tbs. butter Perfect now. ¼ cups. chicken stock Chianti Classico, 2016. Tiziano. Drink or hold. ¼ cups. dry white wine Riesling, 2017. Cartagena. Perfect. ¼ tbs. lemon juicel and zest from 1 lemon ¼ cups. brined capers, rinsed 2 tbs. freshly chopped parsley LIMITED SERIES April 2018: PREPARATION Cabernet Sauvignon\Carmenere, 2015. Key. Pound chicken breasts to ¾ inches. Season flour with salt, pepper and cheese, drench cutlets Great now. until well coated. Bordeaux, 2011. Brun-Depagne Heritage. Drink or hold. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add half Sylvaner, 2013. Albert Hertz. Drink. of the chicken pieces. Brown each side, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan. Place Pinot Gris, 2015. David Hill. Ready. breasts on a rack over a roasting pan, keep warm in a 225°F oven while you prepare the sauce. April 2019: In the same pan, heat stock, wine, lemon juice, capers, on medium heat and reduce by half, stir Malbec, 2017. Kilhix. Years to go. in butter. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Ventoux, 2015. Cave Beaumont. Drink or hold. Ventoux, 2013. Cave Beaumont Prestige. Ready. Remove chicken from oven, poured sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with parsley and server. Rose, 2018. Dom. Cala Bertrand. Ready. Serve with Villa San-Juliette Sauvignon Blanc, or Rieux Cotes de Gascogne. Albarino, 2017. Porta Da Ria. Best now.

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.

BORDEAUX SERIES From the most prolific district in the world come wines from my favorite chateaux.

NAPA SERIES From the backroads of the Napa Valley come these hard to find versions.

SWEET SERIES Light, fresh and lively are these wines with a sweet edge.

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.

PINOT NOIR SERIES Pinot Noir lovers will forever remember the worldwide examples of this club series.

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Pedigreed wine… declassified. ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * MOSKETTO v NV ROSATO 98 Italy 5 % Alcohol by Volume “ roe • ZA • toe ”

Our selection is more than a lovely, light, and refreshing wine. It’s a COLOR lesson in Italian wine laws. To guarantee the quality, the G in the DOCG, Lovely Pink you have to limit quantity. But, too often, Mother Nature doesn’t go along, and that’s when things get a little complicated. NOSE This wine is made in the commune of Asti, which is part of Piedmont, Peach, Musk Oil and home to one of its most famous wine, Moscato d’Asti. They also make a red version, Brachetto, and a rosé, which is a blend of the two. PALATE By law, they can only make so many gallons of wine off their vineyard. If Raspberry you make more, you can’t call it any of those names. You can’t even say it comes from Asti. But, you can charge a lot less for it. FINISH Light, Our selection is just that. It has all the pedigree of the higher-priced Refreshing model but slips in under the price point. The Moscato and Brachetto of PAIRING Asti are two of the hottest selling wines in America now. Their slight Fish, Fowl, sparkle, low alcohol, and refreshing sweetness seem to fit everyone’s Vegetarian palate. CELLAR And that’s what we have here. Mosketto is a blend of the words Moscato Now through 2021 and Brachetto. Apparently, the laws don’t cover that. It’s made at Cuvage, the largest winery in Piedmont. Their resources are substantial, which allows them to bring us this lovely offering. It features ID: S0420W1II peach and apricot flavors, citrus notes, and spice to match Comparable Price: $24.00 anything from crab cakes with tomato aioli or fish and chips. Reorder Price: $15.00

Wine: ______Color: ______Date:______Tasting Comments: ______Overall Rating: ______(1-100)

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “ Pure quality from Armenia ” – PK

e SCO lu RE a * KARAS v NV MUSCAT 95 Armavir, Armenia 12.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ MUSS • Cat ”

Do you think France has a wine history? Do you think Italy has a wine history? COLOR Fuhgedd-aboud-it! Armenia has been making wine for 6,000 years. The Medium Gold oldest winery ever discovered was discovered here. You could say they taught the rest of the world how to make wine, and it would be tough to argue. NOSE When the Iron Curtain fell, Armenian families couldn’t show the world their Musk, Apricot incredible wines. One of those was the Eurnekian family who founded the Karas Winery in Armavir. Juliana Eurnekian, President, was eager to share PALATE with the world the story of Armenia with her wines. Karas is Armenian for Full Tropical amphora, the clay pots that were used to store the finished wine. FINISH Armavir is one of the perfect areas in the world to make wine. It is 3,000 feet Ingratiating above sea level where the air is as pure as possible. The soil is almost all rock, making it impossible for anything else to grow there, even weeds, except grapes. PAIRING And the vines couldn’t be any happier. There is barely enough soil wedged Cookies, between the rocks, but just enough for the roots to keep digging deeper to find Lemon Pie water, all the while sending nutrients to the branches on the surface. CELLAR Muscat is the oldest grape there is. It was the first grape made into wine, Now through 2025 and basically, every other grape is a descendent of Muscat. Ergo it is highly revered here. Its pungency is its trademark. The musk oil and wild peach scent signal the body and flavor to swallow. ID: S0420W2IM This would elevate almond cookies to a new level or be the Member Price: $24.00 finishing touches to lemon bars topped with cherries. Reorder Price: $14.00

* 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 TASTING NOTES

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TASTE THE DIFFERENCE

. I can only say ’ amazing In 1972, a young man, Don Schliff was hired as the first sales representative of what is now a mainstay of wholesale wine in Los Angeles, Wine Warehouse. Sound engineer turned wine salesman, Don had much to experience. One of his first accounts was my father’s store, Palos Verdes Wines and Sprits. A

relationship with my father started that has endured through Don’s entire We started at 1834 and went thru 1844, 1851, 1858, 1870, career, where he advanced to President of the organization for many years. 1887, 1908, 1912, 1927, 1931, 1945, 1955, 1963, 1970, Dons love of Port wine, led him to begin collecting Ports has culminated into 1983, 1994, 2000, 2011, 2017 and one mystery wine! Each one of the greatest collections of Porto in the WORLD. was unique and each was forcing one to find new descriptive

terms. Thankfully, there were the who’s who of the port wine Our tenure together landed me an invitation to what Don billed as Decades of world to walk other wine dignitaries and me through the Tasting with only enough of some of the rarest vintages available in the world tasting. Richard Mayson (noted Porto authority) commented to allow 40 very exclusive guests, I was one of them. I sacrificed the first half of that this was probably one of the greatest Porto tastings ever the Super Bowl to attend, and Don aptly renamed the event “The Super Bowl assembled. Oh, and just for fun, I had a great conversation with of Port.” Wolfgang Puck (he created the days’ meal).

One question I get quite frequently is, “how would a 100-year-old wine taste?” Did I mention the Champagne? As an aperitif, we had Krug I can now confidently answer “incredible!” Let me clarify, regular still wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot will not survive 100 years. Thus, the age of CONTINUED >> the bottle becomes collectability, not the character. Port, however, because it is fortified with wine spirits during the process of manufacturing, can and will last. Well, the oldest wine we tasted Sunday was from 1834 or 185 years old, and it was fabulous. Not just because it was that old, meaning that the age component Paul kalemkiarian was essential to the character, but the wine was just flat out gorgeous. Owner/cellarmaster

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

WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 160-year Edition in Jeroboams (6 regular bottles). And at intermission, Jacquart Brut Mosaic, of course, there was intermission, can’t taste 20 something ports without a break!

More to come, but I did want to mention that the accumulated value of the wines was $57,630!! Guess it was worth half the Super Bowl! (anyway, the exciting part was the second half).

Salud,

“Richard Mayson” “Chef Wolfgang Puck”

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VILLA ILANGI 2016 ROSSO TOSCANA 96 I.T.C. Tuscan, Italy VALUE SCORE* 14.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ roe · so toss · KAH · nah “ Sustainable Organic Our story began in 1936 with the family settling in Casignano, Color just a few miles outside of Florence in Tuscany. Concetta, with a MEDIUM MAGENTA wise business sense, and Nicolas, a breeder/farmer, set the future for their family with their farming. Nose All was well until WWII decimated the country and wreaked VIOLETS, CHOCOLATE, CHERRY havoc, which took decades to resolve. It wasn’t until 1977, when Nicola’s son, Camillo, purchased a small property from the Antinori family. The property had a history of wine production Palate going back 500 years; Thus, Villa Ilangi was conceived. LINGERING CHERRY, SPICE The family had survived on determination, and they were determined to continue. A bold and significant decision was made to farm their grapes organically, which was unheard of at the time, but the time seemed right. FinishMEDIUM TANNIN So, with little training and no experience, they set out to do what very few had accomplished, and they did so magnificently. Villa Ilangi is a testament to their work ethic and determination. Pairing It is now considered one of the pioneers in organic farming in RED MEAT, GAME Tuscany. Where now, most of the properties are farmed as such. Our selection is the purest expression of organic farming. It is the past, present, and future of Tuscany. This blend is 60% Cellar Sangiovese, which is the backbone of Chianti, with 10% each NOW THROUGH 2030 of Caniolo and Colorino, stalwart Chianti grapes, and Cabernet Franc. The result is a spectacular amalgam of flavors that would be a perfect accompaniment to roast loin of pork seasoned with sage and garlic.

Why I Chose This Wine Item ID: U0420R1II “ LOVE ITALIAN ORGANICS ” – PK Reorder Price: $18.00

* 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

ORGANIC HAND-HARVESTED NATIVE YEASTS

SUSTAINABLE DRY-FARMED MINIMAL INTERVENTION

NO/LOW SULFUR

TASTING NOTES WINE COLOR DATE TASTING COMMENTS THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES

FILODIVINO 2015 LACRIMA DI MORRO D’ALBA 96 Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC, Italy VALUE SCORE* 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ la · cree-mah de mo · roe · dal · ba “ Sustainable Organic This is probably the most spectacular winery we’ve ever seen. It is built Color entirely underground. Instead of being pumped, which introduces VERY OPAQUE oxygen, the wines are gravity fed from destination to destination until bottled. The procedure is overseen by winemaker, Matteo Chiucconi, Nose who was born and bred in the Marche region. BERRY, PLUM, ANISE There are a few wineries that operate mostly underground for that reason, but we’ve never seen one entirely subterranean. Of course, with that kind of dedication, you can only imagine what the wines are Palate like. One of the significant advantages is temperature. It never gets too DENSE FRUIT hot or too cold, so the amount of additional energy to improve either is minimal. Add to that a completely organic vineyard, and you are as close to perfection as conceivable.

FinishSTRONG, PENETRATING As if that were enough of a story, then there’s the grape. Lacrima Di Morro D’alba was as close to extinction you could get. In 1985 there were 2.4 acres planted in all of Italy. It was through the efforts of wineries like Filodivino, which translates to “divine thread,” that this Pairing grape has seen a resurgence and now covers 250 acres in 10 different WILD GAME, RED MEAT appellations of the country.

One taste and you’ll understand why. It is very dark, which would Cellar signal a big, dense wine. But, it delivers a much more supple offering NOW THROUGH 2030 with flashes of wild strawberry and currant to shine on a marinated flank steak with garlic and fennel or lemon roasted lamb leg seasoned with sage and oregano.

Why I Chose This Wine Item ID: U0420R2II “ WHEN IN ITALY! “ – PK Reorder Price: $18.00

* 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

ORGANIC HAND-HARVESTED NATIVE YEASTS

SUSTAINABLE MINIMAL INTERVENTION NO/LOW SULFUR

TASTING NOTES WINE COLOR DATE TASTING COMMENTS THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES

CA’ RUGATE 2017 SAN MICHELE 95 Soave Classico DOC, Italy VALUE SCORE* 12.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ SWAH · vay CLAHS · see · coh “ Sustainable Organic The history of Ca’ Rugate centers around the hills of Rugate in Color the famed region of the Veneto in northeastern Italy. The Tessari VERY PALE family harvested cherries, plums, peaches, and almonds in the 1930s, and the word Soave was just a town, not a wine destination. Nose But, it did have an indigenous grape, Garganega, which would GUAVA, KIWI, APPLE become better known than any other fruit. The Tessari’s had a few vines of Garganega and decided to try their hand at making wine Palate from it. Others joined in, and a movement began. RICHLY TEXTURED Soave became so popular that many of the producers added another, less interesting grape, Trebbiano, which was plentiful and cheaper to grow. When it became its own appellation, Trebbiano was allowed in the blend, but it wasn’t mandatory. The Tessari’s would have none of that. FinishVERY LONG, SWEEPING EXTRACT In 1986 the third generation produced their first wine Labeled Ca’ Rugate, which in Romanian translates into “prayer” made from Pairing 100% Garganega, as it is still made today. FISH, FOWL, VEGETARIAN The grape is grown on volcanic hillsides where the yields are low and the quality high. It is fermented in stainless steel with a Cellar touch of skin contact to give it penetrating mouthfeel. Because NOW THROUGH 2022 of it’s lively fruit flavors of guava, peach, and kiwi, the added skin contact allows the characters to linger longer on the palate. The impression of weighty flavors are just made to go with a shrimp cocktail or even a Caesar salad.

Why I Chose This Wine Item ID: U0420W1II “ MY FAVORITE WHITES NOW ORGANIC “ – PK Reorder Price: $15.00

* 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

ORGANIC HAND-HARVESTED NATIVE YEASTS

SUSTAINABLE MINIMAL INTERVENTION NO/LOW CARBOHYDRATES

TASTING NOTES WINE COLOR DATE TASTING COMMENTS