le tt es o ri -B e 6 S ub Cl Wines evaluated last month: 322 • Rejected: 271 • Approved: 51 • Selected: 10 JULY/AUGUST 2011 Whathat’s’s New ThiThiss MMonth?onth? remember when this was quite the event!) chose front cover photograph not only the Wine of the was taken. Of course, I Month Club wines ... but the I was on duty at the store wines as well. time. My responsibilities What I remember of that were stock boy, delivery picture day was that Dad boy, cashier, basket maker, had this photographer there display maker and son. and I don’t remember the Seems like my dad got a reason…but my dad says, bargain at $2.50/hour. “Let’s take a picture” and Actually, I probably wasn’t my attitude was, “Why, the model employee, c’mon, Dad. I though I did work 1 don’t want to take my shifts and make 1 esterday I came to a picture.” “Take 0 a difference. the office to make a a picture, now!” 2 gift for a dinner party Though we are was his reply. T Y S we were attending. When I standing in front You can see he is U arrived there was an older of what was to even wearing his G become the “Wine pharmacy smock U van parked in front of the A store. As I exited my car a of the Month Club” (having just come / display, my interest from next door). Y gentleman in the passenger L was more in the My dad was always side yells, “Hey, got any U product range behind the guy that had J wine you don’t like in there?” us in the photograph: his camera or “Not today,” I replied politely. the beer cooler. I did movie camera to “Are you sure?” was his begin my lessons on document whatever comeback. “Yes, I am sure.” wine at that age, event he was at. Then I started thinking: Wines though (this photo is The only pictures I don’t like...why would I from approximately I have of my base - have wines I don’t like 1974 or so). One other ball career are from him. The here...? We have methods thing I did: Each Thursday only movies of our family to get rid of the wines I I would go up into this vacations are from him. don’t like here...go to makeshift loft we built and And the only documentation set up the wine tasting for that we have of the great www.vimeo.com/11685891 that week. Usually, 9-10 history of this company are and see for yourself! wines, each brown bagged from him…thanks, Dad. and each setting had a I take back my attitude scoring sheet and pen. This from that day…. was the night that my father PK Jr. and his customers (those Paul Kalemkiarian that made a reservation—it INSIDE THE TASTING ROOM THIS MONTH What’s New? 2 Classic Series: Sol de Chile Sauv Blanc 11 Classic Series: Winemakers Syrah 3 Classic Series: Alma de Chile Merlot 12 Classic Series: Mezzacorona Chardonnay 4 Classic Series: Lapis Luna Merlot 13 Classic Series: Destinos Syrah/Tempranillo 5 Facebook 14 Classic Series: Destinos Macabeo 6 For Members Only 15 Classic Series Earlier Selections 7 Gifts & More 16 Classic Series: Colle Petrito Nero di Troia 8 Recipes 17-18 Classic Series: 2 Copas Tempranillo 9 Tasting Notes 19 Classic Series: Vinum Chenin Blanc 10 The Corkboard 20 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 2 J U L CLASSIC Y / A U G U S T he Winemakers other appellation in 2 0 Syrah was made California, distinct micro- 1 T as part of the PBS climates, diverse soils and a 1 reality series “The long growing season, Paso Winemakers," which starred Robles is a unique wine Austinite Ross Outon as one region blessed with optimal of 12 contestants competing growing conditions for for the chance to start their producing premium and ultra own wine brand. It's a premium wines. More than 2007 California red called 40 wine grape varieties "Winner's Wine,” with a are grown in Paso Robles, C L whimsical label that ranging from Cabernet A Syrah S suggests one "remove label Sauvignon and Merlot to S (See rah) I only after finale." Viognier and Roussanne C and Syrah, the 2007 S After shooting E area's heritage R the first Winemakers I wine varietal. E Paso Robles, California S episode in which One distin - Color: contestants guishing factor Deep purple spent a long of Paso Nose: day harvesting Robles is the Currant, blackberry grapes and abundance and black pepper getting to the of highly winery, Outon returned to desirable limestone and Palate: Austin and predicted that calcareous-rich soils found Very clean and grapey he would win the contest. throughout the region. Due with licorice and soft tannins His competition included a to a geologic uplift, chalky teacher, a restaurateur and a limestone shale is plentiful Finish: former lawyer. He won and in Paso Robles’s west-side Long and foreboding for good reason. hills, where dense clay- with a berry and based soils combine with vanilla swash Outon's wine is most relatively plentiful rainfall to definitely evocative of Paso make it possible for some Drink now Robles, California, with vines to be dry-farmed through 2012 mos t of the grapes grown without supplemental in the region: Grenache, irrigation. East of the Salinas Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah and River are gently rolling hills, WOMC RATING Zinfandel. The growers many of which are also rich 92 Points learned many years ago that in limestone, and are this area was better suited covered with sandy, loamy ITEM #: 711R1 for these grapes and the soils. Our selection is a Retail Price: $17.99/each results have proven so. large, buxom offering which Member Price: $10.98/each screams for roast duck in a Reorder price: $7.99/each With a greater day-to-night chipotle sauce. temperature swing than any 56% Discount 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 3 1 1 0 CLASSIC 2 T S U G U A / ezzacorona Vinification occurs in Y L cultivates its own steel tanks at controlled U J M grapes in the heart temperature. The whole of the Dolomites process is constantly along the Italian Alps. Every monitored by a team of field is planted with single experienced oenologists varietals and only 100% who manage every phase single varietal wines are of production from the produced from the property. fermentation and organic The climate of the Italian evolution to the pumping Dolomites is characterized over and the aging of the S by a warm Mediterranean wine. The steel tanks, casks, E I influence from the south and barrels and bottling lines R Chardonnay E (Shar doe nay) crystal clear sunlight. A fresh are extremely sophisticated S and wild breeze blows from and a symbol of modern C I 2010 the over 400 oenological S S Mezzacorona lakes and facility. A L Veneto, Italy numerous C glaciers of the Pinot Grigio Color: surrounding and Pale mountains, Chardonnay Nose: peaking at dominate the Green apple over 9,000 Dolomites and and spice feet. It is the Mezzacorona ideal environ - is well-known Palate: ment to create as the premier Apple, pear and elegant, vivid producer of cinnamon and crispy these Finish: varietal wines. varietals. Chardonnay Very crisp with a especially is a delight in this touch of guava The state-of-the-art wineries region. It is never aged in of Mezzacorona and the oak, ergo the flavors accent expertise of over 100 years the natural personification of of winemaking tradition the grape with its nuanced make this powerhouse pear and apple components Drink now winery one of the premier along with a touch of spice through 2012 organizations in the world and pineapple. of wine. Mezzacorona boasts the most modern oenological This well-endowed selection WOMC RATING equipment available today. is a perfect rendition of its 91 Points The winery is used for type from the Veneto. It’s crushing and vinifying one of the few wines we’ve ITEM #: 711W1 grapes produced by its tried that is perfectly lovely Retail Price: $12.99/each 1,300 growers. They have on its own, but would be Member Price: $10.98/each been and continue to be a kindred spirit to gnocchi Reorder price: $6.99/each the perfect example of with a basil cream sauce or excellence in wine production. crab salad. 46% Discount 1-800-949-9463 • www.WineoftheMonthClub.com 4 J U L CLASSIC Y / A U G U S T he Producer for The vineyards are composed 2 0 Destinos is Cooperativa of 3,500 acres of grapes 1 T La Remediadora. This with soil ideal for producing 1 is a cooperative owned by spectacular wine. The cold about 30 grape growers in winters and hot, dry the region of “La Mancha,” summers are favorable for giving La Remediadora some grape-growing, bringing of the best grapes from the freshness and inspiration to area. Winemaker Julian the wines. Martinez started his studies La Mancha is an ideal area C in Ciudad Real, and then L made his way through for growing grapes because A Syrah/Tempranillo S the yield per acre is low. The S southern France and the (See RAH I Tuscany region in Italy, versatility of their land has Temp rah NEEYO) C enabled them S before coming 2009 E back to La to introduce a R I vast variety of E Remediadora Destinos S in La Mancha, grapes from La Mancha, Spain around the his home Color: region.