Volume 27, Issue 16 GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB’S Platinum Wine Club 90+ Rated, Ultra Premium, Collectable Wines from California’s Best Winemakers. Blackbird Vineyards | Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley At an early age, Michael Polenske realized his future would holds the distinction of being the only American winemaker to hold one day involve wine or the wine business. The owner of one of the newest stars of Napa Valley’s jeweled crown called Blackbird the winemakerAmong Pott’s title dutyat a Premier stations Grand were Cru Château level Bordeaux Troplong property. Mondot Vineyards says he started being interested in wines during his and Château La Tour Figeac, both highly respected entities in the college days at the University of California, Chico. “In fact,” Polenske recently recalled, “I took about the same number of been named the top honor of 2012 Winemaker of the Year Saint-Émilionby Food sector & Wine of magazine.Bordeaux. ProductionMore recently, levels Aaron at Blackbird Pott has wine intrigued me and I needed to know more about it.” finance and wine courses while in school. Something about Polenske’s business career involved a number of varied NapaVineyards Valley’s have current grown relativelysignificantly soft and business around climate 5,500 owned a variety of restaurants, art galleries and private hasn’tcases will affected be released its newest this star. year. It is significant to note that businesses centering on his financial expertise. He has clubs among others. Polenske had thrived on the concept “We have been fortunate to always be behind the demand curve,” Polenske added. “Even though we have into a successful team to many of these investments. that he brought a flair for combining individual talents Fast forward to 2003, and Michael Polenske is My planning is that we will continue to grow as long as the searching throughout Napa Valley for a house with a expandedconsumer rapidly, demand there ishas there.” always Polenske been more also of admits a demand. that pool that is located on a hill. “What I eventually the style of Blackbird Vineyards’ wines hasn’t hurt found was a house without a hill surrounded by an incredible vineyard planted in Merlot,” Polenske to produce wines that mirrored the “right bank continued. “Yes, it did have a pool, but the vineyard their chances. He said it was always his intention was already producing fruit that was being used Cabernet Franc as its main varietals. These wines in world class wines. I did some real due diligence style of Bordeaux” that features mostly Merlot and on the vineyard and felt it could become even and are perfectly attuned to the whims of an better with the right kind of resources at its internationalare unusually palate. rich in Michael flavor Polenskewith acidic considered balance disposal. It’s not often that you come upon a piece of land that has such a great pedigree.” Vineyards release. all these aspects when designing his first Blackbird The rest, it is easy to say, is history. Blackbird An inspiring wine label was another factor Vineyards (Merlot actually means little blackbird in the winery’s instant success. “I interviewed a number of creative designers for the project,” release of only 100 cases (using grapes that Polenske again recalled. “I stopped when I found in French patois) became a reality and its first awarded a 98 score by a top industry periodical. of my requirements. I wanted someone who Thatweren’t was already in 2005, sold and to existingthe accolades wineries) haven’t was David Hughes. He was a local and that was one stopped for the rocket-propelled winery. already designed Thomas Keller’s French understood wine culture and really cared. He had Michael Polenske modestly credits his “team” Laundry logo and Bouchon Bakery menus and was also the creator of Robert Redford’s logo for brings a world class resume to the proverbial table. for the winery’s success. His winemaker, Aaron Pott at me and what he did for Blackbird Vineyards Pott began his career in Napa Valley with Newton the Sundance Film Festival. His work jumped out Vineyard and later moved his winemaking talents speaks for itself.” Although just over a decade old, Blackbird Vineyards must be regarded as a celebrity winery due to its immediate success. abroad. In France, Pott settled in Bordeaux as a veteran of the Bordeaux winemaking scene and The Best Wine Club on the Planet. Period. Blackbird Vineyards | 2014 Arise, Proprietary Red Wine 93 POINTS — Connoisseur’s Guide 90 POINTS — Wine Enthusiast Blackbird Vineyards’ 2014 ‘Arise’ Proprietary Red Wine captures the charismatic essence of Napa Valley’s unique terroir, produced from the Blackbird Estate Vineyard in Napa’s Oak Knoll District. The 2014 Arise reveals beautiful aromas of black currant, freshly-picked summer blackberries, cedar stick, and roasted clove. With this wine has a richly layered mid-palate that is flavors of licorice, Bing cherry, and nutty fig, Wine Enthusiast review complimented by soft texture, good density, and reads, “This blends 38% Merlot with 32% a long, lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc. wood, cedar, currant and dried herb, allowing Together these find a healthy companionship of the two Cabernets to speak loudest. Lightly spicy layers of cherry and vanilla.” Aged 21 months in nutmeg and clove linger around well-defined Enjoy now until 2024. French Oak barrels (50% New, 50% Seasoned). INSTANT Membership Rewards Pricing* Winery Retail Price 2+ 6+ 12+ $54.00/btl. btls. btls. btls. 2-Bottle Members: $46.00 $44.33 $43.50 4-Bottle Members: $46.00 $43.50 $42.25 off Winery Retail Price You Save 15% to 22% Add a Plus! Bottle This month’s Platinum Plus! $39-$49 per delivery Featured Wine: The Plus! Program automaticallyto youradds on next one specialwine wine delivery to each ACORN 2013 Zinfandel, RRV regularly scheduled wine delivery, or as often as you like! Plus! wines 92 Points – Zinfandel Chronicles are all highly-rated, very small production wines with availability too 91 Points – Robert Parker limited for all regular club members to receive. For more information, 90 Points – Wine Enthusiast visit: GoldMedalWineClub.com/plus 548 cases produced Shipping and tax (if applicable) not included in above prices. 1-800-266-8888*Effective per bottle prices after Membership Rewards discount is applied at checkout. 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