Wine & Cheese by TCC’s July 2019 Clueless Connoisseur Red Wine Club

We know how hard it is to get two bottles of incredible wine each month and not to drink them so this month when we got an opportunity to get three bottles of wine for you, we took advantage of it. This month you will receive TWO bottles of the first selection, Marqués de Griñón, Dominio de Valdepusa from . Since you know we like to be “the boss of you” when it comes to the wine you drink, we recommend you enjoy one bottle now and try really hard to cellar the second bottle for three to five years. This wine is delicious now and given its structure, it will continue to develop more rich, silky flavors over time. The second selection is the single vineyard designated Marietta Cellars Gibson Block Syrah from McDowell, California. Gibson Block is the heart of the Mc Dowell Valley AVA. It is planted with some of the oldest Syrah and Grenache in California. This ancient, dry-farmed mixed block next to the original Gibson Homestead has been producing grapes for over a hundred years. This wine is limited in production due to its unique grape source so we are excited to be able to bring this wonderful bottle to you. Enjoy your wine selections, cheers!

Marqués de Griñón, Dominio de Valdepusa Syrah 2006 Varietal composition: 100% Syrah Vineyard Location: Castilla-La Mancha, Spain Vintage: 2016 Alcohol: 15% Tasting Notes: Aromas of dark cherry and blackberry with notes of white pepper flow into powerful, rich dark fruit flavors with an intense, structured, silky wine. Food Pairings: Pair with our Cherrywood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Dates, BLTCC or Hacienda Zorita Wine cheese. Cheese Club Pairing: For this month’s cheese club, pair with the Marie Harel Camembert. The rich, creaminess of the cheese enhances the dark berry flavors in the wine.

Marietta Cellars Gibson Block Syrah 2015 Varietal composition: 90% Syrah, blend Vineyard Location: McDowell Valley, California Vintage: 2015 Alcohol: 15.3% Tasting Notes: Rich, blackberry, melted licorice flavors with integrated tannins. Food Pairings: Pair with our Grown Up Mac N’ Cheese with Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, Cypress Grove Midnight Moon or Tempesta Salami di Manzo. Cheese Club Pairing: For this month’s cheese club, pair with the Vacherousse D’Argental. The rich, buttery notes in the cheese melds with the silky tannins in the wine.

Have a great month! The Gang at TCC

24104 W. Lockport Street Plainfield, IL 60544 (815) 436-3449 www.wcbytcc.com Syrah 2006 W I N E D E S C R I P T I O N In 1991, Marques de Griñon pioneered the first successful Syrah vines of Spain and has since demonstrated its world-class quality potential. Made entirely from this noble variety, the grapes are fermented separately by parcel in stainless steel followed by 14 months in second- passage French barriques.

T A S T I N G N O T E S Opaque purple in color, this wine displays complex, layered aromas of blackberries, cassis, freshly ground white pepper and violets with savory undertones. Equally rich on the palate, the fruit-forward flavors are beautifully accompanied by fine, silky tannins and smooth velvety body.

F O O D P A I R I N G Pair with baked salmon stuffed with spinach and feta cheese, beef empanadas or samosas, or stuffed pasta in gorgonzola cream sauce.

V I N E Y A R D & P R O D U C T I O N I N F O Vineyard name: Toledo/Dominio de Valdepusa Vineyard size: 125 acres Soil composition: Limestone and clay Elevation: 1,600 feet Vines/acre: 800 Yield/acre: 2 tons Exposure: Southeastern Year vineyard planted: 1991-1998 First vintage of this wine: 1993 Bottles produced of this wine: 27,333 W I N E M A K I N G & A G I N G Varietal composition: 100% Syrah Fermentation container: Stainless steel tanks Length of alcoholic fermentation: 14-15 days Fermentation temperature: 75-82 °F Maceration technique: Pumpovers, punchdowns, aeration and delestage Length of maceration: 7-15 days Malolactic fermentation: Yes Type of aging container: Barriques Size of aging container: 225 L Age of aging container: New and second passage Type of oak: French oak P R O D U C E R P R O F I L E Length of aging before bottling: 12-14 months Estate owned by: Carlos Falcó Length of bottle aging: 12 months Winemaker: Julio Mourelle Total acreage under vine: 125 A N A L Y T I C A L D A T A Estate founded: 1292 Alcohol: 15 % Winery production: 350,000 Bottles pH level: 3.7 Region: DO de Pago Dominio de Residual sugar: 2.4 g/L Valdepusa Acidity: 4.3 g/L Country: Spain

©2019 · Selected & Imported by Winebow Inc., New York, NY · winebow.com 2015 GIBSON BLOCK ESTATE GROWN SYRAH SINGLE ESTATE MCDOWELL VALLEY SERIES Our Single Estate Series represents AGING 18 months in neutral barrels our purest expressions of place. Having worked with the fruit from ALCOHOL BY VOLUME tens of vineyards over the years, we 15.3% have identified three special sites PRODUCTION that we believe create extraordinary 700 cases wine. Produced in limited quantities, RELEASE DATE these wines have ultra-developed Spring 2018 acid and tannin profiles and achieve SUGGESTED DRINKING WINDOW a beautiful balance of intense Drink now or age up to fifteen years structure and bright aromatics.

HARVEST NOTES This unique site holds some of our latest ripening vines. In 2015 we saw a long, cool growing season which allowed us to harvest this extraordinary fruit at full maturity after the fruit saw only one light rain, and prior to the mid-October storms. Picking the grapes at Gibson Block is the moment when the entire team starts to relax and feel the end of Harvest and winter right around the corner.

TASTING NOTES The Gibson Block is the heart of the McDowell Valley AVA. It is planted with some of the oldest Syrah and Grenache in California. This ancient, dry farmed mixed block next to the original Gibson Homestead has been producing grapes for over a hundred years. Reflecting the hidden property where it is grown, 93 points this Syrah is quiet, obscure and profound. Limited in production due to the The 2015 Syrah Gibson Block unique grape source, this wine is built to enjoy with food and will age at is a field blend (it’s 90% least a decade, only increasing in subtleness and complexity. Syrah) that was all destemmed and brought up in neutral barrels. Blackberries, melted licorice, asphalt, and dry aged beef notes all emerge from this ripe, downright voluptuous beauty. It’s a big, sexy beast, but still has class, integrated acidity, and superb purity of fruit. It’s one hell of a drink. — Jeb Dunnuck, June 2018 MARIETTACELLARS.COM