AUGUST 2019
“Life is too short to drink bad wine!!!”
380 WINES EVALUATED | 323 WINES REJECTED | 56 APPROVED “Hear, hear!”
he more I preach about the crap wine that is being pawned off as legitimate wine... the more stories I am hearing from my friends and associates who have experienced this phenomenon first- hand. It’s like they were too embarrassed to bring up the fact they bit on one of these crazy 15-wines-for-$45 offers (oh, and a free corkscrew), or maybe they are thinking, samples sent to me from pseudo competitors… Yes, that is correct, my competitors sent me samples “If I bring it up, I’ll have to admit that I to taste (and ask me to buy). Unreal, isn’t it? What is more unreal is the approval rating percentage of bought wine on Groupon.” Now isn’t the these wines. Typically, with wines brought to me by wineries and importers, I run about 15% approval time for humility; it is time to call it the way of the wines that I taste; approval means that for the region, grape and value, the Wine of the Month you see it and then some. Enough is Club could feature the wine. This is a time-tested percentage that has rarely deviated over the past enough. 30 years that I have been selecting the wines. Enter this new source of wines to taste: wines from my competitors…and not just one competitor, six separate companies have sent me dozens of samples to Last Tuesday in my quest to taste taste and buy. So herein lies the rub: only 5% of those wines make the grade. Same procedure, same 60 wines, I tasted through many evaluation criteria. The reason? I will peel that back in the next newsletter.
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.
WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB | 123 W POMONA AVE, MONROVIA, CA 91016
WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 Like my father taught me: taste everything, even when the flaw is obvious in the nose. To highlight that philosophy, let me share a recent experience. I was at a celebrated restaurant last week, and I ordered a Sagrantino from Bocale…typically a great wine. This one, however, had turned. Even though it was obvious in the nose, I told the maître d’ to taste it also, so that he, too, could learn from the flaw.
You see, there is only one Original Wine of the Month Club that has one person whose palate is on the line each and every month, as it has been for 48 years… That is how you look out for your members and customers.
Try my new club, the Pure Wine Series…”The Purest Wines on the Planet” Salud, Paul Kalemkiarian Owner/Cellarmaster
THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES TASTE THE DIFFERENCE
July 1983 Selection of Imported Wine Margaux, 1977. Château Giscours - $6.75/fifth (757 ml) A LOOK BACK AT SOME STELLAR The 1977 vintage was one of the worst ever. Therefore, the prices were way lower than they had ever been. SELECTIONS WITH ED MASCIANA Giscours was always considered one of the best classified growths in Bordeaux, and this wine was nothing short of spectacular. What is truly amazing here is that usually a good wine from a bad vintage fades quickly. Well, I had it again 25 years later and it was unbelievable. May 1984 Selection of Imported Wine Cabernet d’Anjou, 1978. Château de Cheman - $6.75/fifth (757 ml) I will never forget this wine as long as I live. To this day I can taste it. Some salesman came to Paul with a sob story about a pallet of wine that got lost in the warehouse and they just found it and needed to move it. It was a Rosé. Everybody knows Rosés don’t age, but Paul was always a gracious guy and said he’d taste it. I’ll never forget the look on his face nor will he forget the look on mine. It tasted like a $50.00 bottle of Corton Charlemagne. We were both astonished, as was everyone we had taste it. Nobody could believe that a six-year-old Rosé could taste like this. I’ve never seen a bottle since.
WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE “Relentless in character for the price.” – PK SPARTAN HILLS WINERY 2017 RELENTLESS RED MERLOT 96 Margarita Vineyard, Paso Robles, California points 14.0 % Alcohol by Volume “ mare • LOH ”
Spartan Hills Winery is part of the Direct Cellars portfolio of exceptional wines, founded COLOR by Kevin Raulston. Kevin spent 25 years in business development, marketing and Deep Magenta finance in the US and international markets before starting Direct Cellars. Besides his interest in wine, he couldn’t have had better experience. NOSE His mantra has always been that quality sells, so if you want to sell something, it Cedar, Plum, Cassis should be of obvious quality. Too often that concept gets lost in the translation, but not here. PALATE Dense Plum, Cherry For this gem, Kevin went to Paso Robles, but not just anywhere in Paso Robles. He chose all the grapes from the Margarita Vineyard, considered one of the best vineyards FINISH in the appellation. As a matter of fact, it is so famous that it has its own, more specific Long, Extracted appellation, Santa Margarita Ranch, and is the only vineyard in the appellation. PAIRING The land sits on an ancient sea bed composed of fossilized shells, gravel and silt, Red Meat and you couldn’t find a better environment for growing Merlot. It’s also one of the coolest growing areas in Paso Robles, so the grapes are allowed to hang on the vine for an extended period, extracting all those nutrients from the soil and enriching the CELLAR character of the wine. Now through 2025
The result is a nuanced, yet extracted offering. Those beautiful Merlot high notes of cassis and black plum are matched with the sublime elegance of ID: C0819R1DC soft, enveloping tannins that carry the flavors from beginning to glorious MSRP: $18.99 finish. Member Price: $12.48 Reorder Price: $8.99
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 “Oregon Chardonnay is a must-taste.” – PK WILDSTOCK 2015 CHARDONNAY Oregon 95 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ SHAR • doh • NAY ”
Wildstock is made by Scott Paul Wines, founded in Carlton, Oregon, in 1999 by COLOR Scott and Martha Wright as an artisanal Pinot Noir winery. The Wright’s long- Very Pale time business partner and friend, Cameron Healy, purchased the property from them and, in 2014, launched Wildstock Wines, which offered wines other than Pinot. NOSE Flint, Lime Zest The winery is located in the middle of the Willamette Valley, Oregon’s premiere grape-growing area. The history of the property goes back to 1915, when the PALATE building that houses their tasting room was once a creamery. Bracing Structure The Willamette Valley is internationally known for great Pinot Noir. But, as we all know, the same terroir that makes great Pinot Noir also makes great Chardonnay. FINISH It was Healy’s mission to tell the world that Oregon is not a one-grape pony and High and Tight, that Chardonnay can stand alongside Pinot Noir and make a statement as to the Lime Zest significance of the area. PAIRING His vison was to create a Chardonnay in the image of the great Chablis of France. Shellfish, Seafood Using no oak allows him to represent the volcanic soils and schists that make the soil here perfect for Chardonnay. He has done so with rousing success. CELLAR Now through 2024 We don’t like to make comparisons of wines from different areas, let alone different continents, but this wine begs to be. It has all the alluring, flinty, boney structure of tightly twisted Chablis, except it’s also different. Its bracing acidity will make you stand up and take notice, but the shy, ID: C0819W1DO alluringly pure fruit will cause you to settle back down and smile. MSRP: $19.99 Member Price: $12.48 Reorder Price: $8.99
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 “Value, value, value.” – PK
GRAVELLY FORD 2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 96 California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ CAB • burr • NAY SAW • veen • YON ”
Gravelly Ford is part of the O’Neill Wine empire. With vineyards up and down COLOR the state, they design exceptional wines at exceptional prices. Every wine we’ve Deep Garnet featured from them has received enthusiastic response from our members.
Their winemaker, Mark Rasmussen, has had a remarkable career spanning four NOSE decades and still creates wines of distinction for O’Neill. This one is exceptional, Cherry, Berry, Plum, Vanilla as usual. PALATE Because of their impressive holdings, they can draw the best from each vintage Rich Berry, Spice to craft their wines. This one came from two distinctive areas, the Sacramento Delta and Lodi. The Delta’s warmth provides the power and extract, while the FINISH cooler Lodi region supplies the suppleness. Lively, Lovely Spice Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted red grape variety on Earth. It is made in every country and in almost every region within each country. It can make a PAIRING light, charming wine from Italy’s north or a powerful, extracted offering from the Red Meat, Game likes of Pauillac in Bordeaux, California’s Napa Valley or eastern Washington State.
Ours crosses a few borders. The blending technique allows Rasmussen to add CELLAR and adjust, using wines from different sources for his desired goal. In this case, Now through 2025 medium body and less alcohol.
The fruit components of cherry and blackberry are evident in the nose ID: C0819R2DC and carry through the palate, depositing vanilla and spice along the MSRP: $19.99 way. It finishes with reminiscent oak and plum. Member Price: $12.48 Reorder Price: $8.99
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 “Great expression of Verdicchio.” – PK VITIANO 2016 BIANCO VERMENTINO/VERDICCHIO 95 Umbria I.G.P., Italy 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ VARE • men • TEE • noh / vare • DEE • kyoh ”
As Italian wineries go, Vitiano is a relative infant. It was founded by brothers COLOR Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella in 1995 and named after the town in which it Pale Straw was created. The Cotarellas are also relative newcomers, founding their winery, Falesco, in Umbria in 1979. But they hit the ground running. NOSE It seems hard to believe that it was only 40 years ago that Falesco Rosso was Guava, Peach, Citrus introduced. It rose so quickly in the hearts, minds and palates of wine aficionados that it created its own whirlwind. PALATE Overnight, Falesco became one of the most sought-after wines on the planet. Minerals, Stone Fruit It was literally on every single “Best Buy” list of every wine publication. The amazing thing is that it still is. So, when the Cotarellas founded Vitiano, everyone FINISH was excited. Lovely Citrus Edge We weren’t disappointed. The same goals and philosophy that guided Falesco were in place with Vitiano, so it, too, skyrocketed to fame. The brothers just gave PAIRING the world what too many producers in the wine world fail to provide: a product Shellfish, Fowl, Vegetarian that most people thought was better than its price. And so it is with our Bianco selection. Most producers would charge twice as CELLAR Now through 2021 much if they had a wine this good. But, that is also why Vitiano has grown in leaps and bounds to over 200,000 cases a year.
This gem is a blend of equal parts Vermentino and Verdicchio, two ID: C0819W2II of Italy’s greatest whites. Fragrances of guava and peach morph into MSRP: $16.99 flavors of the same, adding citrus notes as well. An incredibly delicious Member Price: $12.48 bargain. Reorder Price: $7.99
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 “Most expressive I have tasted in a while.” – PK ANTOINE & FRANÇOIS JAMET 2017 CABERNET FRANC 96 A.O.C. Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France points 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ mare • LOH / CAB • burr • NAY FRONK ”
We are very pleased to present this unique and different selection that is way COLOR under the radar of most wine lovers. First of all, it’s a red wine from the Loire. This Medium Magenta sprawling appellation is 200 miles long and begins at the Atlantic coast of France. Less than 10% of wines from the Loire are red. NOSE Our selection is made from Cabernet Franc. It’s one of the principle grapes of Violets, Light Cherry Bordeaux, especially on the Left Bank of the Gironde River, but that’s where the similarity ends. In the appellation of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Cabernet Franc PALATE presents a more delicate balance, with softer edges and lilting fruit. Elegant, Floral The winery is now owned by two brothers, Antoine and François Jamet, who took over from their parents in 2009. Their family’s winemaking history at the estate FINISH spans eight generations, going back to the property’s founding by their ancestor, Lovely Cherry, Spice Pierre Jamet, in 1820. It is now approaching its 200th anniversary. PAIRING If you were to visit the property, it would seem as if it was somehow bypassed Fowl, Light Meats by the 20th century. Most of the work is done by hand here. They use almost no outside interference and grow only one grape: Cabernet Franc. CELLAR This almost spartan operation is what accounts for the lovely expression of this Now through 2023 engaging grape. The Jamets think of themselves as guides, not creators. They see their mission as taking what Mother Nature gives them and guiding it to its finest hour. In the glass, that translates into a lovely cherry and ID: V0819R1IF anise offering with a delicate, yet satisfying finish. MSRP: $20.99 Member Price: $17.48 Reorder Price: $12.99
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 “Finally got to feature this after years of tasting.”– PK TRUMPETER 2016 CHARDONNAY Mendoza, Argentina 97 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume points “ SHAR • doh • NAY ”
Trumpeter is produced by Rutini Wines, one of the oldest and most celebrated COLOR wineries in Argentina. Its origins date back to the late 19th century, when Italian Medium Gold immigrant Felipe Rutini planted one of the first vineyards in Mendoza. Rutini Wines is now comprised of five estates in Mendoza, with over 600 acres of grapes. Each has its own niche and personality. NOSE Pineapple, Vanilla Mendoza is considered one of the most perfect areas for growing grapes. The Andes Mountains provide more than enough water from the year-round snow PALATE pack. The warm days and cool nights encourage the vines to give superb fruit, Heady Green Apple, enhance the color of the reds and the aroma and flavor of the whites, and - most Spice importantly - keep the grape’s natural acids alive. FINISH The dry, sunny conditions make for naturally healthy grapes and are ideal for Extracted Citrus Edge Rutini’s organic operations. Mendoza is perhaps one of the most conducive areas in the world to grow organically, with vineyard pests and dampness nearly non- PAIRING existent at this elevation. Seafood, Fowl, Light Meats The grapes were harvested from their 20-year-old vineyards over 3,000 feet above sea level. The area is mostly sandy. Yield is very low, allowing each cluster CELLAR of grapes to receive the maximum amount of nutrients from the soil. Grapes are Now through 2023 hand-harvested and then 30% are barrel fermented, which takes place for seven months in 50% new French oak barrels. The result is a superb Chardonnay offering layers of tropical essences, ID: V0819W1IA vanilla spice and citrus, followed by green apple, and finishing with MSRP: $19.99 that telltale lemon zest edge. As good as it gets. Member Price: $17.48 Reorder Price: $11.99
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 “Flat out great Merlot value.” – PK FLAT ROCK 2016 MERLOT California 95 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume points “ mare • LOH ”
This is a most puzzling wine. The winery is in New York. But the grapes come COLOR from California’s Lodi and Sacramento regions. The winery was founded by Ed Medium Crimson Madronich, a life-long winery executive whose father tried to found a winery in upstate New York and was denied a license. NOSE A mere 45 years later, in 1999, Ed got his license on the same property. He is Blueberry, Mint joined by his son, Ed Jr., who ran Inniskillin Winery in Canada, one of the finest producers of icewine in the world. PALATE Dave Sheppard was hired as winemaker. He had worked in Burgundy and Red Plum, Berry Germany learning his craft and making one wine of distinction after another. Though their purpose was to promote New York there’s no sin in making wine FINISH from California grapes. Lush Fruit, Tannins So, the Madronich family tried their luck in California and, lo and behold, they find some pretty nice grapes there. Who would have thought? PAIRING Red Meat Merlot is not particularly known in Lodi or the Sacramento delta, but after tasting this one, we can’t imagine why. All the components we look for in Merlot are here and then some. CELLAR Now through 2025 The aromas of blueberry, spice, plum and mint just glide into your consciousness and deposit wave upon wave of flavor and extract along the way. The experience is not short lived; the sensations continue in endless ID: V0819R2DC fashion with each turn of flavor complementing the last. It finishes MSRP: $18.99 with every piece coming together in perfect harmony. Member Price: $17.48 Reorder Price: $12.99
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 “You will never know to ask for a wine like this.” – PK PRIMO AMORE NV RIESLING Provincia di Pavia I.G.T., Italy 93 10.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ REE • sling ”
Primo Amore is a very interesting and unique wine. First of all, it comes from COLOR Lombardy, one of the northernmost areas in Italy. It is also a little-known wine Pale, Greenish Tinge appellation, probably because Piedmont to the west and Alto Adige to the east are two of the most famous areas in Italy - or anywhere else in the world. NOSE The wine’s name translates to “First Love,” a fitting moniker for a Riesling from Spice, Apricot, Apple Northern Italy. For many of us, Riesling is our first love. Italy is not known for Riesling, but it should be. It shares climate and soil (what else is there?) with PALATE Germany, where the best Rieslings in the world come from. Tropical Flavors, Green Apple This selection is made almost like Chardonnay, though there is no oak treatment. FINISH The grapes are lightly crushed to remove the pulp from the seeds and stems Long and Gripping and then fermented in stainless steel. Though the process separates most of the stems and seeds, it leaves a few in the wine called lees. PAIRING Seafood, Fowl, Vegetarian These lees, excuse the rhyme, do something magical to the wine that is not fully understood. They fall to the bottom and, once a month or so, are stirred in order to make more contact with the wine. This goes on for months. CELLAR Now through 2022 The result does not impart any particular flavor, but it does impart texture. When you mix that texture with the enticing natural flavors of Riesling, the result is searing apricot and pear that hugs the palate ID: V0819W2II as long as you let it. MSRP: $18.99 Member Price: $17.48 Reorder Price: $11.99
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 “Want to taste Washington State at its richest?” – PK
TEN MILE 2016 RED BLEND 97 Washington points 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume
I’ve always lived by the credo that I’d rather be lucky than good. Until now, it never occurred to me that both would be the better alternative. Chris COLOR Stylish Crimson Nickolopoulos and Elijah Pfister (try putting that on the marquee!) are both lucky and good. They’ve been close friends since college. They shared a passion for wine, as Chris had worked for a distributor in Chicago and Elijah’s family were on NOSE the retail side of the wine business. Plum, Cherry Cassis
They were both trying to figure out what their mission would be in wine when, PALATE in 2009, they were approached by a high-end winemaker with some bulk wine Black Cherry, Vanilla to sell under their own label. There was a recession going on and sales were flat, but that didn’t stop them. Just the opposite. Their previous connections helped FINISH things fall into place, and Ten Mile was born. Long, Gripping
One thing led to another, and soon our boys were being asked to sell other overstock wine from high-end wineries at low-end prices. It was only a few years PAIRING Red Meat, Game later that they purchased Nine North Wine Company to fold their operation into.
Our selection has the pedigree of wines costing more than double this price. It is CELLAR a blend of wines from the Columbia Valley and Horse Heaven Hills in the Yakima Now through 2025 Valley, home to the top wineries in Washington.
It could legally be called Cabernet Sauvignon because that Is 80% ID: L0819R1DW of the blend, the rest being Merlot and a splash of Syrah. It exhibits MSRP: $22.99 all the subtlety and grace of this area, with plum and anise showing Member Price: $22.98 through with earth and spice. Reorder Price: $15.99
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 “Excellent example of Bordeaux Supérieur.“ – PK CH. LA ROSE BELAIR 2016 BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR A.O.C. Bordeaux Supérieur, France 97 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ bore • DOH soo • PARE • ee • ER ”
Château La Rose Belair is part of the Bonfils collection of fine Bordeaux properties COLOR that are strewn all over the vast Bordeaux appellation. The saga begins with a Medium Crimson young teacher, Joseph Bonfils, fleeing France in 1870 because of his opposition to the government; he settled in Algiers. NOSE The plateau he settled on was only good for planting vines, so that’s what he did. Cherry, Spice His success was slow, but steady, eventually building a thriving wine business that supported his offspring. PALATE Politics struck again in 1962, when Algeria declared its independence from Smooth, Nuanced France and nationalized everything, including all the Bonfils properties. So the Bonfils family came back to France and started again with nothing. Obviously, FINISH this is a very resilient family. Lush, Lively Tannins Today Bonfils owns more than a dozen properties in Bordeaux and are involved in many more estates in other wine appellations of France. The quality and value of PAIRING Red Meat, Game their wines is astonishing. Just think of what it would cost to build that operation today - easily astronomical. CELLAR Fortunately, we have featured wines from their properties in the past and have Now through 2025 almost been flattered when they present us with a new one. This selection from Château La Rose Belair is one of the best we’ve tried.
Like most Bordeaux, the main grape here is Merlot, with touches of ID: L0819R2IF Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It exhibits the classic currant MSRP: $24.99 and earth swatches, bathed in spice and cherry. Member Price: $22.98 Reorder Price: $15.99
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 “To taste real Vermentino.” – PK DOM. DE TERRA VECCHIA 2017 VERMENTINO 98 I.G.P. Ile de Beauté, Corsica, France points 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ VARE • men • TEE • noh “
Jean-François Renucci of Terra Vecchia was born and raised on the island of COLOR Corsica, just off Italy’s northeastern coast. Most think of Corsica as part of Italy, as Very Pale Straw it is just above the Italian island of Sardinia. But it is actually part of France - and famous for being where Napoleon lived out the last of his years. NOSE The Terra Vecchia property was developed by Robert Skalli in 1961. He planted Lemon Peel, Apricot almost 500 acres, the largest estate on the island. Skalli’s grocery and wine business became so large that the vineyard didn’t fit in with his portfolio, so PALATE he decided to sell it. But he made one condition on the sale: that it must be Citrus with a purchased by a Corsican who would retain the vineyards. Guava Splash FINISH Jean-François Renucci stepped forward. He carried the property seamlessly Exotic Peach, through the next era, even improving on the wines with better processing Lime techniques and technological advances. PAIRING Shellfish, Vegetarian There are many indigenous grapes grown here that most people couldn’t even pronounce. Some of them are spectacular, but have a limited audience. Renucci planted more recognizable varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and CELLAR Vermentino, the star grape of its neighboring island, Sardinia. Now through 2021
Renucci runs an efficient, sustainable environment which is committed to giving back to the land as much as it gives him. It ID: L0819W3IF shows in this lovely wine with its delicate, finely honed notes of lilac MSRP: $24.99 and clover, peach and cinnamon, crowned by a long exhilarating Member Price: $22.98 finish. Reorder Price: $13.99
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 “Expand our palate to new grapes.” – PK
RAMBËLA 2017 BIANCA 96 FAMOSO Ravenna Bianco I.G.T., Italy points 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ fah • MOH • so ”
We’re always excited to bring our members wines from places we’ve never COLOR heard of or made from grapes we’ve never tasted. This wine is both. The grape Very Pale here is Famoso, a distant kin to Gewürztraminer, and it was not even officially recognized until 2009. NOSE The vineyards are in Ravenna, located in Central Italy along the Adriatic Coast Touches of Apricot in Emilia-Romagna. Emilia-Romagna is also home to two of Italy’s greatest treasures: Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano. PALATE Rambëla is a co-operative of several growers in the area, founded just after World Lovely, Lilting Peach War II. Italy was so devastated by the war that barely any entity could exist by itself. So, co-ops were the best way for winemakers to survive, and most Italian FINISH co-operatives were founded at this time. Piquant, Roasted Nuts The sea air and sandy, clay soil are not suitable for many varietals, but Famoso thrives here. It is interesting to note that the usual practice in most of Europe is PAIRING to match the grape to the area, not necessarily planting what is fashionable. If a Seafood, grape is ideal for an area, then that’s what will be planted and vinified there. Light Meats For our selection, the grapes were handled minimally, so as not to disturb the CELLAR delicacy and nuance of the wine. The grapes were crushed very gently to preserve Now through 2022 their flavor characteristics and aged for a short time in stainless steel and then in the bottle. ID: L0819W4II The result is a lovely, aromatic offering with citrus and apricot notes, MSRP: $24.99 a touch of roasted almonds and a spicy, almost musky finish. Member Price: $22.98 Reorder Price: $13.99
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 “Napa royalty; must be tasted.” – PK MONTICELLO VINEYARDS 2015 PINOT NOIR 98 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 14.3 % Alcohol by Volume points “ PEE • noh NWAR ”
Jay Corely came to the Napa Valley 50 years ago. He purchased 80 acres in the Oak COLOR Knoll district and planted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These were some of the Medium Crimson first plantings of those grapes in Napa. He sold his grapes to the top wineries of the time…until it was time to sell NOSE them to himself. Then, Monticello Vineyards was born. I don’t believe Jay could Cherry, Strawberry have picked a better name. Monticello was the name of the estate of our first American wine connoisseur, Thomas Jefferson. PALATE Pinot Noir is rightfully considered both the most difficult grape to grow and the Berry, Mint, most difficult wine to make. It’s fussy about everything: the soil, the climate, Creamy Vanilla when it heats up, when it cools down, too much air, not enough air, and so on. FINISH But the wine Pinot Noir produces makes all the effort worthwhile. The Pinot Noir Very Long, grape’s skin is very thin, so it typically produces lighter colored wine. It’s not light Very Elegant in flavor, however. Many people confuse dark color in wine with deep flavor, but that’s not always true. PAIRING Red Meat, Game, Having said that, many Pinot Noirs are encouraged to have a deeper color, and Fowl in order to attain that, the winemaking process needs to be manipulated in such a way that the wine will not lose its elegance. Monticello strikes the perfect CELLAR Now through 2027 balance here. Our selection is perfection at every level. The grapes were very gently pressed and allowed to ferment slowly, but not too slowly, in order to extract the perfect color and flavors. In this case, you’re greeted ID: N0819R1DC by light cherry and strawberry with hints of mint, candied apple and MSRP: $48.00 vanilla. The finish brings it all together and then some. Member Price: $25.00 Reorder Price: $20.99
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 “This is what Napa is about.” – PK SEAN MINOR 2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley, California 96 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ CAB • burr • NAY SAW • veen • YON ”
Hyperbole runs rampant in the wine business. There are way more “Best of” COLOR accolades than there should be. More superstars than stars. But, once in a Almost Purple while… Sean Minor is a legitimate superstar winemaker. He started out making quite the NOSE name for himself with Pinot Noir almost 20 years ago. Sean worked at King Estate Cassis, Pepper in Oregon and at Beaulieu in Napa, home of California’s greatest winemaker, Andre Tchelistcheff. PALATE After a few years of hitting the mark every time, Sean decided it was time to Rich Plum, branch out. So, he made Cabernet, Zinfandel and Chardonnay and - much to the Black Cherry surprise of absolutely no one - they were fantastic. So, the stardom continues as FINISH we present this stunning selection. Everlasting Fruit, Spice It’s hard to argue any other place in California being better for Cabernet Sauvignon than the Napa Valley. It has its own personality, its own identity and PAIRING its own hierarchy. Red Meat For our selection, Sean chose Cabernet from different areas of Napa - from cooler climates for structure and tannins, and from warmer climates for fruit essences CELLAR Now through 2030 and grace. Each lot was fermented separately and, months later, blended to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Small splashes of Merlot and Cabernet Franc add soft edges to ID: N0819R2DC tame the Cabernet Sauvignon’s size and weight. Each lot of grapes MSRP: $28.00 contributes to the whole experience, from black pepper and cocoa to Member Price: $25.00 ripe plum, cassis and anise. All for the greater good. Reorder Price: $18.00
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 “Void of the green grass.” – PK THE DUDE 2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley, California 96 13.9 % Alcohol by Volume points “ SAW • veen • YON BLONK ”
The Dude is crafted by Canepa Koch Wine Cellars, named after owners Mike COLOR Canepa and Neil Koch. We featured their red blend a few years ago and it was a Very Pale huge hit. This selection is destined to follow. Mark Canepa has spent 15 years in the wine business, most of that with one of NOSE the top barrel builders in France, Seguin Moreau. He spent hours studying and White Peach, discussing how barrel construction and make-up can change a wine in different Pink Grapefruit ways. In so doing, Mark became an expert in how wine interacts with oak barrels. PALATE For 12 years, now, Neil Koch has been making wine with the likes of Seavey, Same as Nose, Bryan Family and Vineyard 29. He was also assistant winemaker at Lewis Cellars. Adding Green Apple Neil has honed his craft by learning directly from top-drawer Napa Valley FINISH wineries. Lovely Sting and Citrus Together, Mark and Neil probably make the absolute best wine for the price in Napa Valley. Okay, take out the word “probably.” Each wine is a perfect example of PAIRING the grape, the area, and the attention to detail that we wish all wines had. Seafood, Fowl, Vegetarian The grapes for our selection were sourced from one of Napa’s premier spots, Rutherford. They were picked earlier than most to keep the piquant, natural CELLAR Now through 2025 acids. But, instead of thrashing them in a crusher, the winemakers piled them into the tank and eventually the pressure of the grapes on top crushed the ones on bottom. This delicate maneuver preserves the Sauvignon Blanc grapes’ lovely fruit component yet retains its snappy finish. ID: N0819W1DC MSRP: $25.00 Member Price: $25.00 Reorder Price: $15.99
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 “This Bordeaux…is Bordeaux.” – PK CH. MARCADIS 2016 BORDEAUX 97 A.O.P. Lalande de Pomerol, France 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ bore • DOH ”
Some people have all the luck. It’s what you do with it that matters. Jean-Michel COLOR Comme was born in Bordeaux and worked on the winemaking team for Château Very Dark Purple Pontet-Canet, one of the stars in Pauillac. In 1998 he and his wife, Corinne, were able to purchase a 12-acre vineyard NOSE just across the river. Then they did what no one had dared to do, especially in Dense Plum Bordeaux. They ripped out all the vines and replanted every vine in a completely organic environment, becoming the first completely organic vineyard in Bordeaux. PALATE Imposing Cherry, In addition to being organic, the vineyard is also biodynamic. There are no Earth machines nor chemicals, and there is no interference with how nature conducts FINISH itself. The Commes see themselves as guardians, facilitators and protectors of Everlasting Cherry, the soil they are fortunate enough to preserve. And while there is no absolute, Coffee scientific proof that organic farming produces better crops than traditional farming. The only thing we have to go on is that it tastes better. On that point, it PAIRING Red Meat is hard to argue. Our selection is a blend of 63% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet CELLAR Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand harvested and brought into Now through 2030 the winery in small batches. There, the stems - which harbor green flavors and bitterness - are removed. Only the naturally occurring yeasts on the surface of the grapes ID: B0819R1IF are used in the fermentation process. The result is a spectacular MSRP: $32.00 culmination of minimalist methods producing the maximum in Member Price: $32.00 flavor. Purity and perfection in the glass. Reorder Price: $25.00
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 “One of the best values I have found in Bordeaux.” – PK CHÂTEAU CLEYRAC 2016 BORDEAUX A.O.C. Bordeaux, France 96 14.0 % Alcohol by Volume points “ bore • DOH ”
Eco Valley is one of those players in the wine business that has their hands in a COLOR lot of wine. They’re in Argentina, Chile, France, Germany, New Zealand, Portugal Medium Crimson and Spain, just to name a few places. But, nobody knows who they are, and that’s the point. NOSE Eco Valley is a family-owned company headed by Andrew Miller. They import Earth, Blackberry small, but outstanding wines from all over the world - wines that aren’t made in large enough quantities for the big importers. And that suits Eco Valley just fine. PALATE Cherry, Cedar Among the exceptional wines Eco Valley imports is the portfolio of Alexandre Sirech. Sirech has several holdings all over France, but his prized possession is in Bordeaux. He doesn’t go for flash and flair; he goes for fulfillment and flavor. And FINISH that is just what he has achieved with our selection, Le Bordeaux. Could he have Lovely Berry and Spice chosen a more prestigious name? Most would, but Sirech is making a statement that the name doesn’t matter, only the wine. PAIRING Red Meat, Game He has certainly achieved his goal here. This luxurious offering from the Right Bank of Bordeaux features almost equal parts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc in perfect harmony. Most producers would put the name of the small village in CELLAR Now through 2024 Saint-Émilion on the bottle because it has prestige. Sirech will have none of that. It is Bordeaux and that is enough.
Here are all the sensuous flavors and textures you would expect. The ID: B0819R2IF classic combination of dense black fruit mixed with cherry is a pure, MSRP: $29.00 magical elixir. Member Price: $18.00 Reorder Price: $15.00
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 “You can taste the Semillon.” – PK CH. GANTONNET 2016 BORDEAUX BLANC A.O.C. Bordeaux, France 97 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume points “ bore • DOH BLONK ”
Château Gantonnet is another one of those Bordeaux newcomers who have COLOR been around for only about 150 years. It is on the Right Bank of Bordeaux in Medium Gold Entre-Deux-Mers. The estate has nearly 200 acres of grapes, 30 acres of which are white. NOSE The chateau was purchased in 1962 by the Ricard Family, a near dynasty in the Flowers, White Peach drinks business with holdings all over the world. They poured thousands of dollars into Château Gantonnet to upgrade the vineyards and winery. Today it is a model of efficiency as well as a showplace. PALATE Rich Fruit, Most of the white wines from Bordeaux come from Entre-Deux-Mers. That is why Medium Grip the percentage of white grapes here is higher than in the rest of Bordeaux, which FINISH is under 10%. Peach Fades The grapes for our selection are 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Muscadelle and 20% into Citrus Semillon. The higher-than-average amount of Muscadelle is what gives the wine PAIRING the floral richness it exhibits, with less steeliness and austerity. Seafood, The grapes are cold fermented for six to twelve hours on the skins. This is what Vegetarian gives the wine its grip, as the skins extract some tannins. But it is also a tricky CELLAR procedure, as too much contact could cause the wine to attract some bitterness. Now through 2025 A matter of a few hours could make the difference.
Everything worked in perfect harmony, here, as the floral makeup is perfectly balanced by the gripping mouthfeel and the all-inclusive ID: B0819W1IF tangerine and lime zest. MSRP: $23.00 Member Price: $18.00 Reorder Price: $16.00
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 “Back-to-back great vintages.” – PK LA NERTHE 2018 LES CASSAGNES ROSÉ 97 A.O.C. Côtes du Rhône, France 13.0 % Alcohol by Volume points “ roh • ZAY ”
La Nerthe has one of the most fascinating histories in France. It is located in the COLOR famed region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. What is amazing about this property Deep Pink is that it was making wine before the area became known as Châteauneuf-du- Pape. NOSE Rose Petals, The château at La Nerthe was founded in 1560. Châteauneuf-du-Pape didn’t Cotton Candy become the name of the region until some 50 years later. It seems the King of France was upset with how the Catholic Church was running things in the early PALATE 1600s, and installed his own Pope in Avignon, the capital of Châteauneuf-du- Lovely Pink Grapefruit Pape. The name means the “new castle of the Pope.” FINISH This duality lasted almost 100 years, until they made up and the Catholic Church Fresh and Lively was reunited under one Pope in Rome. But by then, the region’s reputation was established. The squabbling between the two factions made people take notice PAIRING of the wine, but the wine stood on its own after the conflict ended. Seafood, Fowl, Vegetarian La Nerthe, being probably the oldest estate in the region, was the first château to be written about for having exceptional wines. In the intervening years, wars CELLAR Now through 2022 and famine took their toll on the property and it fell into disrepair. It was brought back to its original glory in the 1980s by an insurance company - thankfully, headed by a wine lover, who did it all right. ID: R0819R1IF Everything La Nerthe makes is outstanding, and this beauty is no MSRP: $25.00 exception. Our selection is most worthy of its history. Member Price: $20.00 Reorder Price: $18.99
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 “Excellent value in the upcoming Rosé category.” – PK CH. SAINT NABOR 2018 GRIS DE NABOR ROSÉ 96 I.G.P. Gard, France 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ roh • ZAY ”
The Castor family have been the proprietors of Château Saint Nabor for five COLOR generations. The estate is located in the stellar wine region of Côtes du Rhône in Medium Pink southern France. But it was not always the stellar region it is today. Gérard Castor was at the forefront of the area’s renaissance in the early 1970s, NOSE when he and a few others decided to make wines with the goal of quality not Strawberry, Apricot quantity. At that time, he had a total of 17 acres. Things in the wine world were changing. Gérard recognized that. The public PALATE wanted better wines and more of them. So, he invested all he had to purchase Enveloping Fruit, new land to plant grapes and supply this growing need. Today the château farms Citrus 220 acres and is at the helm is his son, Jérémie. FINISH The family’s quest for quality took them outside the rules of the Côtes du Rhône Refreshing appellation. The main grape in our blend is Tempranillo, which is not allowed in a blend labeled Côtes du Rhône, even though the winery is in the appellation and PAIRING all the grapevines are as well. Light Meats, Fowl, Two grapes that are allowed, Grenache and Cinsault, make up the balance of Vegetarian this blend. So, the Castors aren’t averse to using appellation grapes, they just CELLAR don’t make their decisions based on the appellation’s rules. They’re interested Now through 2022 in making the best wine possible. A noble calling, and one we wish more would follow. The result is a perfect wine with all the pedigree and flavor of a great ID: R0819R2IF Rhône Rosé. Peach nectar and strawberry abound with stunning MSRP: $25.00 resolution. Member Price: $20.00 Reorder Price: $15.99
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 “Loving this Pinot for all things Pinot.” – PK IRVINE FAMILY VINEYARDS 2014 PINOT NOIR 98 Oregon points 14.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ PEE • noh NWAR ”
Great Pinot Noir has been crafted in Oregon for nearly 50 years. Some say it’s as COLOR close to the Holy Grail of Pinot Noir, Burgundy, as you’ll find anywhere. However, Medium Magenta almost all the Pinot Noir producers in Oregon are located in the Willamette Valley. Irvine Family Vineyards - now Irvine & Roberts Vineyards - is in the Rogue Valley at the southern tip of Oregon, near the California border. NOSE Rose Petals, This area is warmer than Willamette and, thus, has grown non-traditional grapes Pomegranate like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But Irvine & Roberts Vineyard is 2,100 feet PALATE above sea level on a cool mountain that is perfect for Pinot Noir - and perfection Dense Cherry is the only goal here.
Doug and Dionne Irvine both grew up in the Rogue Valley. Their mutual interest FINISH in wine led them to invest in land with an eye to planting a vineyard. Soon, Earth, Cherry, Spice Doug’s sister and brother-in-law joined the company, and they became Irvine & Roberts Vineyards. And while each of them had some agricultural experience, PAIRING farming is only half of the equation. The wine can’t make itself. Game, Fowl
They hired Vince Vidrine, formerly of Domaine Serene, one of the top Pinot Noir producers in Oregon. The challenge of working in a different area than the CELLAR Now through 2025 Willamette Valley invigorated Vince and he set out to make his mark here as well. The results speak for themselves.
This is a denser, more fully-packed Pinot than most, yet it still retains ID: P0819R1D0 lovely, wispish flecks of subtlety and fruit. Oak barrels from 14 MSRP: $42.00 separate coopers account for the complex integration of flavors as Member Price: $32.00 well as their magnitude and enduring pleasure. Reorder Price: $25.00
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 “WOW!” – PK
DUTTON-GOLDFIELD 2017 PINOT NOIR 99 Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley, California 13.5 % Alcohol by Volume points “ PEE • noh NWAR ”
Dutton Ranch was established over 40 years ago by Warren Dutton in the coolest COLOR area of Sonoma, the southwestern corner of the Russian River. It’s about as close Medium Magenta to a Grand Cru country as you’ll get in California.
Dutton Ranch is unique in that it is thought of as one vineyard. In reality it is a NOSE Raspberry, patchwork quilt of small, separate vineyards, each planted on different terroirs in Spice, Mint order to express the most classic character of Pinot Noir. PALATE Rich Fruit, In 1998, Warren’s son, Steve, partnered with his long-time friend, Dan Goldfield. Vanilla Steve had worked with his father at Dutton Ranch, so his credentials were untouchable. Dan had worked for some of the benchmarks in California wine like FINISH Mondavi, Schramsberg and La Crema. Their visions were so perfectly aligned that Long, Balanced they could even agree on going outside Dutton Ranch to source the best grapes available in places like Mendocino, Monterey and Marin. PAIRING Red Meat, Game Our selection comes from a sub-appellation on the Dutton Ranch in Green Valley, one of the best Pinot Noir secrets in California. Great wines from this area have CELLAR been produced for 40 years, and this beauty is no exception. Now through 2026
Plush raspberry and cotton candy essences emanate from the glass in waves of sensuous beauty and seem to seamlessly deposit those ID: P0819R2DC flavors on the palate, sprinkling speckles of earth, spice and leather along the way. It finishes, but never goes away. MSRP: $49.00 Member Price: $48.00 Reorder Price: $40.00
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 RECIPES CELLAR NOTES A report on how previous selections are faring with age. Tagliatelle with Obtained from actual tastings of wines under optimal Prosciutto & Mushrooms storage conditions. Serves: 2 CLASSIC SERIES August 2017: INGREDIENTS Merlot, 2013. Pietra Santa. Ready. 8 ounces spinach tagliatelle or fettuccine Sangiovese, 2013. Pietra Santa. At its 6 ounces 1/8-inch-thick slices prosciutto best. 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio, 2015. Luna Di 1 large shallot, finely chopped Luna. Drink up. 1 cup heavy cream Chardonnay, 2013. Farm To Table. Drink. 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley August 2018 : Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano Red Evidence, 2017. Suspicion. Still going Fine sea salt strong. PREPARATION Chardonnay, 2016. Red Autumn. Drink or hold. Cook tagliatelle or fettuccine. Cut prosciutto crosswise into matchstick-sized pieces and slice Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015. Cottonwood mushrooms. Creek. Still developing. Pinot Grigio, 2016. Cottonwood Creek. In a large nonstick skillet, combine shallot and butter, cook over medium heat, stirring Drink up. occasionally, until butter is melted. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Stir in prosciutto and cook for 1 minute more. VINTNERS SERIES August 2017: Add cream to skillet; bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Stir in parsley and cheese. Add GSM, 2016. Gallician. Still great. pasta and cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and plate for two immediately. Add salt to Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015. Canto Del taste. Agua. Drink or hold. Chardonnay, 2014. Tipping Point. Best Serve with Spartan Hills Relentless Red Merlot, Antoine & François Jamet Cabernet now. Franc or Ten Mile Red Blend. Sauvignon Gris, 2015. Casa Silva. At its peak. August 2018: Chilled Avocado Soup Merlot, 2013. The Big Red Wine Beast. Still a beast. Serves: 2-3 Sauvignon Blanc, 2015. Liberated. INGREDIENTS Perfect now. 2 serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped Malbec, 2012. Paul Mas Estate. Great 2 large ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and roughly now. chopped Sauvignon Blanc, 2017. Albamar. Ready. 1 medium white onion, finely chopped LIMITED SERIES 6 cups chicken stock August 2017: 1 cup heavy cream Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010. Pietra Santa. 1⁄3 cup fresh lime juice At its best. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Bordeaux, 2014. Ch. Grand Barradis. Still 2 plum tomatoes, cored, seeded and finely chopped young. Ribolla Gialla, 2015. Cormons. Perfect PREPARATION now. Combine half the serrano chiles, the avocados and half the onion in a food processor, and Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Brochet. Ready. process until a smooth paste forms. Add stock, cream and lime juice, and puree until very smooth. Pour through a fine strainer into a bowl or pitcher, and season with salt and pepper. August 2018: Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours. Bordeaux, 2011. Ch. Laubes. Drink or hold. Divide soup among serving bowls and top with a spoonful each of remaining chiles and Barbera D’Asti, 2013. Cascina Liuzzi. onion, along with the tomatoes. Great now. Sauvignon Blanc, 2016. Flying Cloud. Serve with Vitiano Bianco, Trumpeter Chardonnay or Domaine de Terra Vecchia Ready. Vermentino. Pinot Blanco, 2016. Averoldi. Still great. WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 SOFTER ROBUST SOFTER ROBUST WHITES WHITES REDS REDS Item # C0619W1IG -Riesling,2014.SpicyGoat V0419W1DC -Chardonnay,2014,ChaloneGavilan C0119W2DC -Chardonnay,2017.HessShirtail V0719W2IF -Rosé,2018.MontGravet V0719R1DC -PinotNoir,2015.DiscoveryTrailVineyard C0719R1DC -Zinfandel,2017.OakGrove U0619R2IF -SamorënsRouge,2016.FerratonPèreetFils R0619R2IF -Rosé,2018.LesBarrabans R0619R1IF -NiellucciuRosé,2017.Dom.DeTerraVecchia L0619R2DC -PinotNoir,2014.Cru V0219R1DC -PinotNoir,2014.1790 L0719R2IU -CabernetSauvignon,2014.Penny’sHill L0719R1DC -Zinfandel,2016.Pars V0719R2II -Alberello,2013.Felline C0719R2DC -RedBlend,2015.TheGreatAmericanWineCo. U0619R1IF -Bordeaux,2015.ChâteauCruGodard C0619R2IA -CabernetSauvignon,2014.Andeluna B0619R2IF -LeBordeaux,2016.AlexandreSirech V0519R2DO -RedBlend,2016.PassiveAggressive V0519R1IF -Bordeaux,2014.ChâteauVirevalois V0419R1IF -Merlot,2017.Héritage C0319R2IA -Malbec,2015.Denario C0319R1DC -ReserveCuvée,2016.HermosoHermosa C0219R1DC -CabernetSauvignon,2015.TwistedPaso C0119R2DC -CabernetSauvignon,2016HessShirtail V1218R2IC -ReserveCarménère,2017.Yali L0719W4IP -VinhoBlanco, 2016.RaparigaDaQuinta L0719W3II -Sauvignon Superiore,2017.TenutaCa’Bolani V0719W1IT -GrünerVeltliner,2015.Laurenz V.Forbidden C0719W2IF -Viognier,2017.LaColline Sacree U0619W1IS -GarnachaBlanca,2016.Viña Zorzal C0619W2DC -Chardonnay,2017.Simple Life C0519W1DC -Chardonnay,2017.FourVines C0419W1DC -PinotGrigio,2017.Discoveries V0319W1IF -Chardonnay,2017.TerreEulalie C0219W1IZ -PinotGris,2016.Hillersden
Wine REORDER PRICES WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 Description Guava, Quince,Lime,Slate Pineapple, Spice,Guava Green Apple,Citrus,AsianPear Lovely Peach,Watermelon Earth, Cherry,Mint Lingonberry, Strawberry,Spice Berry withaHintofAnise Fresh RedBerries,Crisp,Dry Peach, Apricot,Cherry Rich Cherry,Mint,RosePetals Rich Soil,Vanilla,Berries Earth, BlackFruits,Vanilla Strawberries, Anise,RichEarth Deep RedPlum,Anise,Spice Chocolate, Cherry,DenseBerry Blueberry, Cherry,Herbs Dense Plum,Chocolate,Vanilla Currant, Coffee,Plum Dense BlackFruit,Earth Blackberry, Leather,Earth Black Currant,Berries,Roses Bramble, BlackFruits,Plum Cherry, Chocolate,Spice,Earth Black Cherry,Plum,SoftTannins Violets, RichBerry,Spice Rich Cherry,Chocolate,Plum Lilac, Peach,Guava, Citrus Stone Fruit,FreshHerbs, Granite Apple, Jasmine,Ginger,Peach Peach, Apricot,Spice Bright Peach,Apricot,Minerals Green Apple,Pear,Vanilla,Spice Apricot, Apple,Peach Peach, Apricot,Quince Green Apple,Jasmine,Pear Flowers, Nectarine,WhitePeach N ALE FAVORITES! EARLIER ON
$18.99 $21.99 $16.99 $23.98 $24.99 $15.99 $24.00 $25.00 $25.00 $26.00 $19.99 $29.99 $29.99 $25.99 $18.99 $29.00 $18.99 $28.00 $19.99 $19.99 $19.99 $20.99 $19.99 $18.99 $21.99 $19.99 $27.99 $29.00 $25.99 $17.99 $24.00 $15.99 $18.99 $17.99 $20.99 $19.99 MSRP Reorder $12.99 $11.99 $12.99 $19.00 $14.50 $14.50 $15.99 $12.99 $15.99 $15.99 $12.99 $19.00 $19.00 $12.99 $12.99 $13.99 $12.99 $13.99 $13.99 $16.00 $12.99 $7.99 $6.99 $9.99 $9.99 $8.99 $8.99 $8.99 $8.99 $7.99 $9.99 $8.99 $7.99 $7.99 $8.99 $7.99
$155.88 $167.88 $107.88 $107.88 $107.88 $155.88 $167.88 $167.88 $119.88 $107.88 $192.00 $107.88 $155.88 $155.88 $143.88 $155.88 $119.88 $228.00 $174.00 $174.00 $191.88 $155.88 $191.88 $191.88 $155.88 $119.88 $228.00 $107.88 $228.00 $155.88
$95.88 $95.88 $95.88 $95.88 $95.88 $83.88 Case
bottles left! Only 35 bottles left! Only 28 bottles left! Only 26 OUT SOLD
AUGUST 2019
THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES
TASTE THE DIFFERENCE
I am going to give you a tip. Because, for me, it changed the way I looked at food and now, wine. The concept of Nouvelle Cuisine (new cuisine) is not so new.
The history of French cuisine is a fascinating journey to study and follow. Don’t ever tell a French chef that the Italians taught them in Nice in 1978. He said, I’m paraphrasing: “Each to cook, or you might hear “Sacré bleu!” But it is true! Catherine de’ morning I would go into Nice, to the farmer’s market Medici brought her Italian chefs from Italy when she married Henry, for vegetables and then to the docks for fresh Duke of Orleans, in 1533. What has always been confusing about this shellfish/fish. I never prepared anything before it fact, is that French and Italian cooking could not be more different. was ordered. Everything we did was farm-to-table in 1978!” In recent cooking history, the concept of Nouvelle Cuisine (food made from farm-fresh ingredients) has taken center stage in America. It Though the idea of organic and biodynamic farming is as though this whole idea of cooking with fresh ingredients is so is not new (Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic theories were novel… As you can probably surmise, it is not. In fact, the idea of published in 1924), it is newer to the wine scene. So Nouvelle Cuisine has come and gone a couple of times in the history here is the tip: though I have spent hours in interviews of food throughout Europe. Think about it: the foods that Catherine de’ Medici ate had to be to be farm fresh - there was no food CONTINUED >> processing in the 1500s.
On my podcast (Wine Talks with Paul K), I talked with Joachim Paul kalemkiarian Splichal of Patina Restaurant fame. He was making Nouvelle Cuisine Owner/cellarmaster
WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB | 123 W POMONA AVE, MONROVIA, CA 91016 @WineoftheMonthClub @WineoftheMonth
WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 with organic/biodynamic winemakers and vineyard managers, the basis of most of what I understand of the movement came from a book: The Third Plate by Chef Dan Barber. Dan Barber is America’s quintessential farm-to-table chef and his book is hard to put down. So get a copy, stoke up the fire (well, maybe the A/C) and have at it… I think you will be as intrigued as I. Salud,
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT... SEND US YOUR UPDATED INFORMATION
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR SHIPPING & TRACKING NOTIFICATIONS
TO ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED DELIVERY OF YOUR HAND SELECTED WINE, PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CREDIT CARD AND/OR SHIPPING INFORMATION ONLINE AT: www.womclub/update or call 1.800.949.9463
WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES
MAISON LOMBARD 2016 LA RE-NOMMÉE SYRAH I.G.P. Vin de Pays de la Drôme, France POINTS 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ seer • RAH ” Organic Biodynamic
Maison Lombard is in the tiny northern Rhône appellation of Brézème. Color It was founded in 1981 by Jean-Marie and Sylvette Lombard, who VERY DEEP PURPLE took on an enormous project with the property. The vineyard had been destroyed by a plant louse called phylloxera, which literally eats the vine from the roots up until it eventually keels over and perishes. Nose The only cure is to replant with rootstock that is resistant to BLUEBERRY, EARTH phylloxera and move on. The Lombards’ vision extended beyond just replantation: they wanted to do everything organically and biodynamically. Palate Converting an existing vineyard to organic and biodynamic systems RICH BERRY, FLORAL NOTES is much more difficult and expensive than starting that way. You have to undo some of the things you don’t want before you can begin. Upon retirement in 2012, the Lombards sold the property to the FinishLONG, EXTRACTED dynamic duo of Emmanuelle and Julien Montagnon to continue the legacy of the property. Julien was an accomplished winemaker, so the transition was an easy one. Pairing The northern Rhône has several powerful appellations, Hermitage RED MEAT, GAME, and Côte Rotie being the most famous. This is Syrah country. It FOWL dominates the vineyards and produces such a powerful, prodigious wine that it is often tempered with some Viognier to relax its muscle. Cellar And so it is here, with our blend being 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier. NOW THROUGH 2026 The Syrah provides the power and extraction while the Viognier the feminine virtues of floral scents, blueberry and seduction. Item ID: U0819R1IF MSRP: $26.00 Why I Chose This Wine Member Price: $26.00 “INCREDIBLE ORGANIC SYRAH FROM FRANCE.” – PK Reorder Price: $19.00
WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 DESIGNATIONS FOR THIS WINE
ORGANIC HAND-HARVESTED WILD NATIVE YEASTS
BIODYNAMIC DRY (NO ADDED SUGAR) PALEO FRIENDLY
SUSTAINABLE NO/LOW SULFUR KETO FRIENDLY
DRY-FARMED NO/LOW CARBOHYDRATES LAB-TESTED
Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic TASTING NOTES Organic NaturalWINE BioDynamic Sustainable COLOR DATE Natural SustainableTASTING COMMENTS Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES
ROUQUIN DE JARDIN 2018 PINOT NOIR France 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume POINTS “ PEE • noh NWAR ” Organic Sustainable We love it when we’re presented with a wine that makes us do a Color double-take. In this case, it was a triple spin. All we heard was Pinot LIGHT MAGENTA Noir from the Loire, and that sent us off. Not only had we have never tasted a Pinot Noir from the Loire, we had never even heard of one! And there it was sitting in our glass. This bit of near insanity was Nose created by Jean Mourat, who planted his vineyard in 1974. Because CHERRY, COTTON CANDY he thought that Pinot Noir would be perfect here, that’s what he planted. And he was absolutely correct. Palate Unfortunately, the French wine laws don’t agree, and they’re very ELUSIVE FRUIT, SPICE strict about it. If you are in the Loire and you want to plant Pinot Noir, you can only do it in Sancerre, 200 miles east. That’s if you want to say it’s from the Loire. That didn’t bother Mourat at all. He simply had to accept the “lesser” designation on his label of “Vin de France.” But, FinishDELICATE, FLORAL that doesn’t lessen the wine in our eyes – or on our palates. The westernmost part of the Loire is near Nantes, where the Loire River joins the Atlantic Ocean. This cool, maritime influence is just Pairing what the Pinot Noir grape ordered. FOWL, GAME, In 1998, Jean’s son, Jeremie, joined the team and immediately began VEGETARIAN converting the vineyards to organic production. He even planted Cellar new vineyards, all of which are cultivated organically. NOW THROUGH 2023 Pinot Noir is so susceptible to where it comes from, we had no idea what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised. It is still the sensuous treasure it’s always been, just from a different place. Item ID: U0819R2IF MSRP: $26.00 Why I Chose This Wine Member Price: $26.00 “MOST INTERESTING ORGANIC PINOT.” – PK Reorder Price: $19.00
WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 DESIGNATIONS FOR THIS WINE
ORGANIC NO/LOW SULFUR LAB-TESTED
SUSTAINABLE WILD NATIVE YEASTS
DRY-FARMED PALEO FRIENDLY
Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic TASTING NOTES Organic NaturalWINE BioDynamic Sustainable COLOR DATE Natural SustainableTASTING COMMENTS Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable THE PURE WINE CLUB SERIES
TENUTA DEL GARDA 2016 RIESLING Garda D.O.P., Italy POINTS 12.5 % Alcohol by Volume “ REE • sling ” Vegan Sustainable
Tenute del Garda sits on the stunningly beautiful western shore of Color Lake Garda. The history of making wine here goes back to the Roman LIGHT, GREENISH TINGE period, over 2,000 years ago. The property is run, in partnership, by Andrea Lorenzi, a marketing executive with a deep respect and passion for the wines of the area; Luca Martini, an internationally Nose known sommelier; and cellar manager, Francesco Stagnoli, a fifth- FLORAL NOTES, JASMINE generation grape grower. This is a very unique property in that they only grow and vinify Riesling. It’s what they’re best known for and few, if any winemakers Palate in Italy do it better. The soil and climate are similar to the great APPLE, LIME ZEST vineyards of Germany, so the wine shares some of the star quality of German Riesling. In their vineyards, in fact, they grow several types of Riesling grapes, of both German and Italian origin, and each variety adds its special character to the wines. FinishVERY LONG The team at Tenuta del Garda is also dedicated to utilizing the best of tradition and modernity in their approach to wine. The grapes for our selection were harvested from carefully tended 25 to 40 year-old- Pairing vines, so the quality of the fruit is superb. Add to this a conscientious SEAFOOD, FOWL, VEGETARIAN winemaking process which has earned them vegan certification, and you have an unbeatable combination. Cellar In the glass, you are met with an exquisite expression of Riesling. NOW THROUGH 2025 From the floral, apricot and apple scents through the penetrating presence in the mouth and on through to the citrus and lively finish, it satisfies at every level and beyond. Item ID: U0819W1II MSRP: $26.00 Why I Chose This Wine Member Price: $26.00 “WHAT? ORGANIC RIESLING? YES!” – PK Reorder Price: $19.00
WWW.WINEOFTHEMONTHCLUB.COM | 1.800.949.9463 DESIGNATIONS FOR THIS WINE
VEGAN NO/LOW SULFUR KETO FRIENDLY
SUSTAINABLE NO/LOW CARBS LAB-TESTED
OLD VINES PALEO FRIENDLY
Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic TASTING NOTES Organic NaturalWINE BioDynamic Sustainable COLOR DATE Natural SustainableTASTING COMMENTS Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable Natural Sustainable Organic BioDynamic Organic Natural BioDynamic Sustainable