paul in pauillac - amazon s3 · 2018-07-12 · paul in pauillac wine of the month club • 123 w...

Paul in Pauillac

WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB • 123 W POMONA AVE, MONROVIA, CA 91016

www.wineofthemonthclub.com • 1.800.949.9463

JULY 2018

THE TASTING ROOM

Membership in the Wine of the Month Club is open to anyone with an interest in and appreciation for superb wines... and excellent wine values. Membership is FREE.

@WineoftheMonthClub @Wineof theMonth

WINES EVALUATED LAST MONTH: 256 • REJECTED: 217 • APPROVED: 39

Paul Kalemkiarian, Owner/Cellarmaster

Does the building in the back look familiar? Sandra and I toured and tasted at Château Lafite Rothschild on a gorgeous Pauillac day. What history!!

Opportunity knocks once in awhile. Actually, I think it knocks rather frequently. My problem is recognizing when and accepting the opportunity. And some opportunities knock loud-er than others. I just returned from three weeks of travel all throughout France and Croatia. Our original plan took us to Paris, Monaco, Lyon and a Croatian tour. But weeks before we left, opportuni-ty knocked…and I had to respond “Yes!” and make some rather dramatic changes to the itinerary.

We were invited to tour Lafite Rothschild. Yes, the one and only. Seriously, could you even argue something like, “oh, thank you, maybe next time” or “that is very kind of you, but I will have to pass”? No! You jump on it as fast and swift as you can...otherwise, it will whisk by you as if the opportunity never even occurred. So, our new itin-erary saw us arrive in Paris, followed by a two-day excursion to Bordeaux, then Monaco, Lyon and Croatia.

Lafite Rothschild is in Pauillac (pronounced “POH •yak”), Bordeaux. When you arrive in Pauillac, you are confronted by a confusing landscape. As a town, is less than impressive and even a bit depressing. With its boarded-up storefronts and rather un-kempt streets, it is hard to imagine some of the greatest wineries with the most wealth coexist here. In this small commune of Bordeaux are dotted some of the most iconic wineries in the world: Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse and others.

It is important to note that wine tasting and touring is not the same in this part of France as it is in Napa, or anywhere in the United States. There is virtually no tasting or touring unless invitations and/or appoint-ments are in hand...

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You don’t and can’t just drive up and enter the tasting room…and in fact, we didn’t even see any sort of public entrance.

We were greeted by our sommelier and tour guide for what I thought would be a quick tour and taste, and then we’d be on our way. Two hours later, I was worried we would miss our club member lunch appointment…

We started with a tour of the actual winemaking facility, in-cluding fermentation rooms, aging rooms, case storage and caves. I don’t even want to venture a guess as to the value of the wines we witnessed in the locked and gated cellar, where some of the great vintages of history are stored. I believe Nicolas mentioned there were vintages back to the late 1800s in this cellar. And I believe he said there were a few hundred bottles of the famed 1945 vintage; these are particularly valuable to collectors for their quality and war history. We touched soil samples, smelled the barrel room, and stood in the underground round entertainment reception hall. More to come… Stay tuned!

Salud,

Paul Kalemkiarian, Owner/Cellarmaster


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On tour with Lafite Rothchild’s Sommelier, Nicolas Quillet. Here we are in the fermentation room, where they use these large casks as well as concrete vats. An absolutely incredible visit.

PIG & POKE 2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNONVino de la Tierra de Castilla, La Mancha, Spain12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

C L U B S E L E C T I O N

www.wine of themonthclub.com • 1 .800.949.9463

Plum, Anise

Cherry, Spice

Now through 2022

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Red Meat, Game

Bright Crimson

Spice, Cherry

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Our Pig & Poke selection was crafted by master winemaker David Carrascosa at the Villanueva de Alcardete in La Mancha, located in the center of Spain. It is the largest appellation in Europe, yet it produces less wine than many smaller ones.

Most large areas, like California’s Central Valley and France’s Midi, are not known for making great wines, because they make so much. La Mancha is unique in that in spite of its size, the yields are relatively small.

Small yields mean small grapes and small grapes mean more flavor. It’s not rocket science. It’s the same all over the world.Bodegas Alcardet is actually a co-operative of 600 growers who control over 800 acres of grapes and make over one million cases of wine annually. Of course, they have the classic grapes of Spain - Tempranillo, Garnacha and Verdejo - but the land is more suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

The size and scope of Bodegas Alcardet affords them the luxury of employing the best winemakers and giving them the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art equipment to work with.

As you would expect, the results are nothing short of spectacular. The average age of the vines is over 50 years, which produces incredibly intense fruit with flavor, finesse and extract that could rival any Cabernet from anywhere. Lovely cherry and earth tones mix with spice and leather in an endless swirl of excitement that finishes with a flourish.

97points

Item ID: C0718R1ISMSRP: $18.99

Member Price: $12.48Reorder Price: $7.99

“ CAB • burr • NAY SAW • veen • YON ”


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TASTING NOTES

LA DOMITIENNE 2016 PiquepoulA.O.C. Pays d’Oc, Languedoc, France12.5 % Alcohol by Volume



Floral

Stone Fruit, Minerals

Now through 2020

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Shellfish, Seafood

Very Pale

Light and Lovely

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Picpoul de Pinet is one of the best kept wine secrets in the world. This small appellation in the Languedoc consistently delivers lovely and eloquent wines with a spark and a tingle. The name literally translates to “lip stinger” to denote its sharp acidity in the finish.

The grape here is Picpoul, a.k.a. Piquepoul. It is rarely grown anywhere else, though some have tried. For some reason, it excels here, and who are we to argue?

La Domitienne is a small estate in the village of Montagnac, just a few miles from the Mediterranean. Here the wind-swept vineyards stay relatively cool and the soil is full of the nutritious minerals garnered from ancient oyster beds that have been deposited for millennia.

The name “Domitienne” comes from the Latin word “Domitia,” which refers to the road linking Rome to Cádiz, Spain. It used to be a very important channel in sending trade back and forth between the two countries.

Picpoul wines come in both red and white versions, but Picpoul de Pinet is the uncontested star of the area. It has centuries of history to lean on.

Our selection is a classic version, showing complex notes of fresh flowers, dense minerals, stone fruit and citrus. The color is very pale, which seems misleading because the flavors are rather intense, with flowers and fruit taking center stage and giving way to a luscious citrus edge.

96points

Item ID: C0718W1IFMSRP: $18.99


“ PEEK • pool ”


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TASTING NOTES

COTTONWOOD CREEK2015 PINOT NOIRCalifornia12.5 % Alcohol by Volume



Black Cherry

Cherry, Vanilla, Spice

Now through 2024

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Seafood, Fowl, Game

Bright Ruby

Engaging Cherry

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Cottonwood Creek is made by the Franzia-owned Bronco Wine Company. They own a lot of different facilities and labels all over California.

To their credit, they treat each wine they produce separately to preserve the integrity of the vineyard and varietal. However, this wine has one major difference not shared with the others. The winemaker is Carol Franzia, fourth generation of the founders of the company.

Growing up in a wine family doesn’t mean you know how to make wine, just like the offspring of an astronaut doesn’t necessarily become an astronaut. If you have the inclination, the talent and the drive, you may succeed, but it’s not guaranteed. Chemistry is an important part of winemaking, so you better have a good grip on that. I should know, I took it three times.

Well, Carol obviously possesses all the qualities of an excellent winemaker. You can tell because she was given the job of making the toughest of wines to conquer. Pinot Noir is at the top of that list.

First of all, the grapes for this selection were grown completely organically. This helps the winemaker, because the only influence on the grapes is nature. In this case, nature has given her almost perfect grapes to work with. But as “good enough” isn’t good enough, Carol’s masterful capabilities told her to add a touch of Grenache and Merlot to turn what would have been a good wine into a great one. It’s a masterpiece of perfection seldom found at this price.

98points

Item ID: C0718R2DCMSRP: $18.99


“ PEE • noh NWAR ”


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TASTING NOTES



Apple, Spice and Mineral

Lovely Pear, Apple

Now through 2020

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Vegetarian, Seafood

Very Pale Straw

Honeysuckle

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Sea Ridge is owned by the giant Bronco Wine Company, whose history goes back nearly 50 years in California. They started in the Central Valley, along with Gallo, growing grapes for jug wines, which were the most popular at the time, and shipping truckloads to the East Coast for Italian immigrant home winemakers. Believe it or not, that was a huge industry.

After all, nearly all Italians grew grapes and made wine in their homeland. After they cycled through New York’s Ellis Island, Italian immigrants were shocked to find out there wasn’t much of a grape industry in there. So they contacted wineries and grape growers in California, where over 90% of America’s grapes are grown. I’m quite familiar with this, as both of my grandfathers made wine in their cellars in New York. Of course, the reports I got from my parents were that the wines were fabulous. Why would I argue?

As Bronco expanded, they built facilities in Paso Robles and even Napa Valley. It was in Napa that they began an association with Antares, primarily to gain access to Antares’ winemaker, Michael Alley.

Our selection is a perfect rendition of an Italian classic. Pinot Grigio is the same grape as Pinot Gris. Pinot is “pin” in French, and means pine cone. It is so named because the clusters of grapes on this vine resemble pine cones. “Gris” means gray, because the grapes have a slightly grayish tinge. But there’s nothing gray about the flavor. This selection contains lovely layers of apple, pear and sunshine.

Item ID: C0718W2DCMSRP: $27.99


SEA RIDGE2016 PINOT GRIGIOCalifornia12.5 % Alcohol by Volume

96points

“ PEE • noh GREE • zhoh ”


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TASTING NOTES

MECEDORA 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Maule Valley, Chile13.5 % Alcohol by Volume



Raspberry, Plum

Cherry, Vanilla

Now through 2021

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Red Meat, Fowl, Game

Medium Magenta

Cherry, Rose Petals

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Mecedora’s vineyards were planted taking every element into consideration. Sun exposure, choice of varietal and soil type are critical to determining what gets planted where.

But regardless of how they are planted, each vine in the same vineyard won’t produce the same wine. Mother Nature sometimes gets in the way. It’s just Mother Nature’s way of saying she’s in charge.

Winemaker Jaime Munoz takes all this into consideration so that he can count on getting what he wants, year after year. He isolates grapes from different parts of the vineyard and vinifies each separately. He then blends each part with the others to get the perfect combination of flavors he’s looking for. He’s never gotten it wrong. And this selection is a testament to his skill.

Of course, he has Mother Nature on his side, as the climate in Chile is nothing short of perfect. No hail, no rain and no pests. His vineyards are high enough off the heat of the valley floor that temperatures are almost of a Mediterranean nature, where many of the greatest wines in the world are nurtured.

Cabernet Sauvignon is what put Chile on the map and has kept them there. The proof is in who has invested heavily in Chile’s vineyards. It reads like a who’s who of the world’s greatest wineries: from no less than Lafite Rothschild to Mondavi and Frescobaldi - and the list goes on! But nothing can take away from this perfect Cabernet, offering cherry, earth and vanilla flavors that never end.

97points

Item ID: V0718R1-1ICMSRP: $20.99




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TASTING NOTES

MECEDORA 2015 SYRAH

Maule Valley, Chile13.5 % Alcohol by Volume



Blueberry, Earth

Rich Black Fruit

Now through 2026

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Red Meat, Game

Medium to Dense Purple

Full, Rich Berry

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

I can see the headline now, “Munoz Takes on Syrah.” Jaime Munoz, Mecedora’s winemaker, has accomplished what most winemakers aspire to. He has created great wine from a variety of varietals.

Chile’s climate and soil are perfect for Cabernet, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, but we have only tasted maybe three Chilean wines made from Syrah! Of course, after tasting this gem, we have to ask, “Why?”

Syrah has an interesting history. It was once thought to have hailed from Persia, the Cradle of Civilization, near a town called, oddly enough, Shiraz. Then another grape guy traced it to Sicily, where it was called Syracuse. Do we really care? The fact is that this grape is mostly known as being the king of the Northern Rhône in such paeans of winedom as Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, where it produces some of the biggest, most intense wines on the planet.

Syrah is a grape that is very dependent on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The rocky soils of the Northern Rhône produce mammoth wines. In the more fertile soils of Chile’s Maule Valley, the wines are a bit softer and gentler, but still retain the bite of their ancestry.

Our selection straddles the middle ground, entering with a blast of blueberry fruit, earth and leather, but finishing with a softer edge. It is still a wine to be reckoned with, and I reckon you’ll be enjoying it a lot.

96points

Item ID: V0718R1-2ICMSRP: $20.99


“ SEER • rah ”


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TASTING NOTES

LE CHARMEL2016 SAUVIGNON BLANCA.O.P. Touraine, Loire Valley, France12 % Alcohol by Volume



Minerals, Chalk, Peach

Lovely Fruit, Citrus

Now through 2021

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Shellfish, Seafood

Very Pale

Exciting Granite and Lime

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

As you can imagine, we have hundreds of opportunities every month to taste wines. We often only pick two or three out of a hundred because that’s the way it goes. Yet, onward we slog.

Then we get a call from Mel Master. Mel has been calling on us since Paul Sr.’s days. We choose close to 100% with his offerings, because everything he brings us is fabulous and a great value. So, when Mel calls, our taste buds perk up.

Mel is in business with his son, Charlie. They merged their names when they created Le Charmel to source wines from places like the Languedoc and little-known areas in the Loire, where quality is high and prices are low. What a life! These guys search high and low throughout France for the right grapes at the right price. This wine is just another example of their mastery of the business side of the wine business.

There is little argument that many of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the world come from the Loire communes of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. They have the prices to prove it. But there is great Sauvignon Blanc grown just outside of those areas at about half the price.

In this selection, Le Charmel delivers one of those special finds. No one would argue if we sold this as a $40 Pouilly-Fumé. Fortunately, we don’t have to. The soil component is unmistakable. Minerals and chalk abound, surrounded by white peach, melon and sage. A class act from start to finish.

97points

Item ID: V0718W1IFMSRP: $18.99


“ SAW • veen • YON BLONK ”


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TASTING NOTES

1850 2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

California14.6 % Alcohol by Volume



Cherry, Rose Petals

Rich Plum, Spice

Now through 2024

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Red Meat

Medium Magenta

Blackberry, Slate

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Our selection is crafted by Mica Rass of Myka Cellars in Santa Cruz. Mica grew up there, in one of the most stunning wine areas in California. He earned his winemaking degree at Sonoma State and then worked for several wineries before starting his own operation.

Unfortunately, when he wanted to name his winery after himself, he learned, to his astonishment, that “Mica” was already taken! I don’t think anyone would have seen that one coming, especially him. So, he went with “Myka.”

For this project, his statewide wine experience spoke to him about the incredible diversity of soils and climates that California has to offer. As a result, he came up with the name 1850, as that was the year California became the 31st state. It fit.

Our selection is a cross between some of the areas Mica has worked in and become enamored of. Obviously, Santa Cruz holds a special place for him, as does Sonoma. But for this selection, he sourced grapes from the Sierra Foothills, the Central Coast, Napa and Mendocino as well.

It’s that kind of open thinking that frees winemakers to make great wine. They’re not sticking to one formula or one place. Our 1850 is such an example.

This is classic California Cabernet Sauvignon, with high-pitched notes of dark cherry and earth from the Sierra Foothills and soft tannins and a lilting presence from Sonoma. It’s a selection aptly named, as it recognizes California’s special place in the world of wine.

95points

Item ID: V0718R2DCMSRP: $18.99




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TASTING NOTES

L’CONTI 2016 CHARDONNAYI.G.P. Pays d’Oc, France12.0 % Alcohol by Volume



Granite, Green Apple

Minerals, Chalk, Pear

Now through 2025

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Seafood, Light Meats, Fowl

Medium Straw

Fresh Flowers, Green Apple

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

This wine is not what it appears to be. The label says Vin de Pays d’Oc, but the grapes come from Limoux. This tiny area is technically in the Languedoc, but it is closer to Burgundy than it is to anywhere else. Chardonnay from here is other-worldly - in a class with the great white Burgundies that are in the $50 to $100 range and beyond.

The winery is Sieur d’Arques. Its history goes back to the 5th Century BC, when the Greeks introduced the vine and its cultural practices. Since 1946, Sieur d’Arques has been known as the creator of exceptional wines at phenomenal prices.

The Chardonnay plots selected for this wine are located on the slopes of the Autan Limoux terroir, in the heart of the appellation. The climate is warm and dry, favoring early maturity of the grapes. The conditions here assure that the threat of a late season hail storm is almost non-existent, a very real problem for their Burgundian neighbors.

This is a stunning wine. The flavors are consistent with great white Burgundies, which express a relationship with the soil like no other. You can almost taste the granite and chalk of the ground, complemented with specks of apple, pear, guava and kiwi.

The finish is mesmerizing, with each flavor held in perfect balance with all the others to form a composite and cohesive whole of minerals, fruit, lemon curd and pineapple. Simply amazing.

95points

Item ID: V0718W2IFMSRP: $18.99


“ SHAR • doh • NAY ”


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TASTING NOTES

MAQUIS 2014 CABERNET FRANCColchagua Valley, Chile14.0 % Alcohol by Volume



Black Cherry, Plum

Plum, Anise, Leather

Now through 2025

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Red Meat

Very Dense Purple

Thrilling

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Maquis is one of those wineries that absolutely fascinated us from the start. First of all, owner and winemaker, Ricardo Rivadeneira, planted 134 acres of Cabernet Franc on his land instead of Cabernet Sauvignon. Then he hired one of the most respected consultants in Bordeaux, Jacques Boissenot, to advise him on winemaking. He also hired vineyard consultant Xavier Choné, who has worked at none other than Château d’Yquem (producer of the greatest dessert wine in the world), Leoville Las Cases (a classified growth Bordeaux) and Opus One.

All this firepower doesn’t assure that this wine will be great, but it does give it a leg up on the competition. Everyone is on the same page here. The people at Maquis want to make the greatest wine possible. And they succeed.

This is the first Cabernet Franc we’ve tasted from Chile, which is one reason why we found it so intriguing. We love this grape, yet it is probably the most misunderstood variety there is (unless you go to the Right Bank of Bordeaux in the village of Saint-Émilion, where that grape is king).

Cabernet Franc is a quirky grape that tends to show a lot of vegetation. That propensity can be a problem because the plant wants to produce leaves instead of grapes, so it must be trained correctly.

When you do, you get a mesmerizing powerhouse of a wine that almost defies gravity. Large and lovely, the flavors just keep coming and never give up.

95points

Item ID: L0718R1ICMSRP: $24.99


“ CAB • burr • NAY FRONK ”


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TASTING NOTES

ST. AMANT 2015 ZINFANDELLodi, California15.5 % Alcohol by Volume



Dense Strawberry

Strawberry, Chocolate

Now through 2026

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Red Meat, Game

Very Dark Purple

Rich, Soft Tannins

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

This is a bittersweet story that took me back to the “old days”. Tim and Barbara Spencer founded St. Amant in 1972, with the goal of creating California’s first really good Port wine in the style of the great Ports of Portugal.

When they released their first wine in 1979, Tim came down to meet with Paul Kalemkiarian, Sr., to show him his new wine. Paul was a little apprehensive because Tim had used Zinfandel as his main grape, not the traditional Port varietals.

Paul Sr.’s reaction: “Wow!” And a friendship was begun, until Tim’s untimely passing in 2006. Tim later planted some Portuguese grape varieties, but his first love, besides Barbara, was Zinfandel. He was a pioneer because he planted in Lodi.

Lodi? Yes, the region that is now the go-to place for not only Zinfandel, but just about everything else, had to start somewhere. Back then, Lodi was still suffering an identity crisis from a song that had nothing good to say about the place. I doubt the songwriter ever visited Lodi - he obviously didn’t taste their wines.

Though few people really noticed, the Zinfandels that had their heyday in the ‘70s and ‘80s were from a lot of different areas. But Lodi had the oldest plantings of Zinfandel in the state. So, as it worked out, anybody who wanted to make great Zinfandel had to go there.

This selection has all the strawberry, chocolate and earthy excitement that we expect from an area that can only be called the birthplace of Zinfandel.

97points

Item ID: L0718R2DCMSRP: $25.99


“ ZIN • fan • DELL ”


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TASTING NOTES

WILLEMS WILLEMS2016 PINOT BLANCMosel, Germany11.5 % Alcohol by Volume



Pineapple, Lychee

Fig, Coconut

Now through 2025

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Seafood, Vegetarian

Medium Straw

Rich, Extracted

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

Normally, when we think of German wine, Riesling occupies the first 10 choices. The wines from the premium areas in the Mosel and Rheingau are as good as any wine can get - from anywhere. So, naturally our ears perk up when we’re talking German wine.

Except in this case, the grape is Wiessburgunder, also known as Pinot Blanc. The estate is now in the hands of the fifth generation Willems, Carolin, who produced her first wines in 2001. By 2010, she had garnered many accolades, including Young Winemaker of the Year, and has never looked back.

The name is also unique, but for a very good reason. It was originally just Willems, until Maria Willems married Karl Willems. Turns our they shared a distant common ancestor, so they changed the winery name to Willems Willems. Another interesting fact is that for the last 100 years, the estate has been run by, and the wines made by, the women in the family. That could explain why they taste so good.

Their vineyards are on a south facing slope of the Mosel tributary known as the Saar. Here, the sun exposure is just enough to ripen the grapes to perfection - and perfection is what we have here.

Luscious pineapple, fig and lychee abound, supported by flecks of orange blossom and quince. The flavors coalesce into a magnificent whole from the piquant acidity to the vibrant finish.

96points

Item ID: L0718W3IGMSRP: $25.98


“ PEE • noh BLONK ”


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TASTING NOTES

HANDLEY2016 GEWÜRZTRAMINERAnderson Valley, California13.6 % Alcohol by Volume



Lychee, Passion Fruit

Spice, Apricot

Now through 2025

NOSE

PALATE

CELLAR

Seafood, Fowl, Vegetarian

Medium Straw

Long, Luscious Musk

PAIRING

COLOR

FINISH

A long time ago in a place far away, people actually drank Gewürztraminer. Probably after the Neolithic Age. Okay, so not that long ago and not that far away, but one thing is for certain: When people did drink Gewürztraminer, it was usually Handley.

In 1978, Milla Handley moved to Anderson Valley to work in wine. She was not the first woman winemaker here, but she may have been the first woman winemaker to found a winery. In 1982, Handley Cellars was born. Hard to believe that was 36 years ago - and that she made her reputation with a grape most people couldn’t pronounce.

Anderson Valley is in Mendocino County, just a few miles from one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. The vineyards are completely organic, meaning no pesticides or herbicides have ever been used. How much this fact impacts the final taste of the wine is still open to question. But there is no question that Handley makes one of the best Gewürztraminers anywhere. It would be hard to pick a favorite out of the few who still make it, but most of them would come from Anderson Valley.

I’m not sure how or why Gewürztraminer lost its luster, but from being one of the most popular whites around, it has lapsed into obscurity. This is most unfortunate, since most of the people - make that all of the people – I have shared this wine with absolutely love it!

This virtual fruit basket of wine features apricot, lychee, passionfruit, musk and spice - and that’s just the beginning!

96points

Item ID: L0718W4DCMSRP: $22.98


“ guh • VOORTS • truh • MEE • ner ”


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TASTING NOTES

PREPARATIONHeat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chopped onion and cook until beef is brown, breaking up beef with fork, about 15 minutes. Mix in tomato sauce, red wine, parsley, crumbled oregano and ground cinnamon. Simmer until mixture thickens and is almost dry, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth. Boil until thick, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Beat eggs in small bowl to blend. Whisk small amount of milk mixture into eggs. Return mixture to saucepan. Bring to boil, whisking constantly. Remove custard from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking pan. Arrange half of eggplant in bottom of pan. Season with salt and pepper. Spread meat mixture over. Top with remaining eggplant. Pour hot custard cheese sauce over eggplant. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan. Cover loosely with foil and bake 1 hour. Uncover and continue baking until golden and bubbling on edges, about 10 minutes longer. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Moussaka (Eggplant Casserole)Serves: 12

Portobello FriesServes: 4

Serve with Pig & Poke Cabernet Sauvignon, Mecedora Syrah or Maquis Cabernet Franc.

INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup olive oil2 lbs. ground beef1 small onion, chopped1 15-oz. can tomato sauce3/4 cup dry red wine2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley1 tsp. dried oregano, crumbled1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter1/4 cup all-purpose flour2 cups milk

Recipes Cellar Notes


PREPARATIONTrim the stems, remove the gills and gently wipe the portobello caps with a damp cloth. Cut the portobello caps into half-inch strips.

Combine breadcrumbs, cheese, thyme, salt and pepper in shallow dish. Toss the mushroom “fries” in flour to coat evenly, then dip into the egg wash and roll in breadcrumb mixture.

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, place the breaded mushroom strips in the hot oil and cook on all sides until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a paper-lined tray.

Serve with La Domitienne Piquepoul, Le Charmel Sauvignon Blanc or Willems Willems Pinot Blanc.

INGREDIENTS8 portobello mushrooms1/2 cup all-purpose flour3 cups fine breadcrumbs1 cup grated pecorino cheese 1 tsp. dried thyme1 1/2 tsp. salt2 tsp. freshly ground pepper3 eggs, lightly beatenCanola oil for frying

A report on how previous selections are faring with age. Obtained from actual tastings of wines under optimal storage conditions.

CLASSIC SERIESJuly 2016: Syrah, 2015. Villa Atuel. Still great.Pinot Grigio, 2014. Gaetano D’Aquino. Ready.Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014. Butterfield Sta-tion. Drink or hold.Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Butterfield Station. Great now.July 2017:Red Blend, 2013. Rockus Bockus. Still awe-some.Sauvignon Blanc, 2016. Kunza. Drink or hold.Zinfandel, 2012. Pietra Santa. Another year or so.Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Backstory. Ready.

VINTNERS SERIESJuly 2016:Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015. Eden’s Eve. Still great.Cabernet/Fateasca, 2012. Sagio. Great now.Chardonnay, 2013. Trumpeter. Drink.Chardonnay, 2015. Langetwins. Still great.July 2017:Pinot Noir, 2013. Fowles 490 Metres. Drink or hold.Sauvignon Blanc, 2016. Gaucho. Another year or so.Merlot, 2012. Kimberly River. Ready.Chardonnay, 2014. 3 Girls. Great now.

LIMITED SERIESJuly 2016:Sagrantino, 2013. Denier Handal. Still great.Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Terroir. Great now.Grenache/Carignan, 2011. Broken Arrow. Great now.Sauvignon Blanc, 2014. Pebble Cove. Drink up.July 2017:Cabernet/Carménère, 2013. Kunza Gran Reserva. Ready.Pinot Noir, 2014. Perfect Left. Still great.Greco Bianco, 2015. Ferrocinto. Great now.Sauvignon Blanc, 2015. Star Lane. Ready.

3 eggs1 cup grated Parmesan cheese1 large eggplant (about 1 1/2 lbs.), peeled, sliced into thin rounds


Item # Wine Description MSRP Reorder Case

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C0518R1IC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014. Awning Estate Coffee, Tobacco $18.99 $7.99 $95.88

C0518R2DC - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2016. Oak Grove Black Cherry and Cedar $15.99 $7.99 $95.88

V0518R1IF - Merlot, 2016. Bicyclette Blueberry, Earth $19.99 $13.99 $167.88

L0518R1IF - Bordeaux, 2016. Légende de Rothschild Vanilla, Oak, Berry $22.98 $15.99 $191.88

L0518R2IC - Carménère, 2015. Mecedora Clean Fruit, Nice Grip $22.98 $11.99 $143.88

C0618R1DC - Zinfandel, 2016. Castle Tower Rich, Full Berry $18.99 $7.99 $95.88

C0618R2IC - Merlot, 2015. Mecedora Cherry, Berry, Spice $22.99 $7.99 $95.88

V0618R1IF - Cabernet, 2016. Listerne et Frigoulas Violets, Cherry, Cocoa $20.99 $13.99 $167.88

V0618R2DC - Red Blend, 2016. Lyeth Blueberry, Cocoa $19.99 $13.99 $167.88

L0618R1IF - Syrah/Cabernet, 2013. In Vino Erotico Black Cherry $25.98 $15.99 $191.88

L0618R2DC - Cabernet Sauvignon. 2014. Big Red Berry, Vanilla $24.98 $15.99 $191.88

N0618R1DC - Meritage, 2014. Pico & Vine Elongated Fruit $25.00 $14.99 $179.88

N0618R2DC - Malbec, 2014. Ilaria Berry, Spice $40.00 $28.00 $336.00

B0618R1IF - Fronsac, 2009. Ch. Moulin Haut Villars Caramel. Earth $28.00 $18.00 $216.00


C0218R1DC - Pinot Noir, 2016. Chalk Hill Light and Lovely $18.00 $7.99 $95.88

V0218R2DC - Pinot Noir, 2013. Windrun Rose Petals, Cotton Candy $20.00 $12.99 $155.88

V0518R2DC - Pinot Noir, 2016. Marc Cellars Rich Flavors, Soft Tannins $22.99 $13.99 $167.88

R0618R1IF - Rosé, 2017. Paul Blisson Rich Peach $21.00 $14.50 $174.00

R0618R2IF - Rosé, 2017. Henri Gaillard Refreshing Apricot $18.00 $14.50 $174.00

P0618R1DC - Pinot Noir, 2016. AP Vin Tart Cherries, Roasted Coffee $45.00 $38.00 $456.00

P0618R2DC - Pinot Noir, 2014. Adler Fels Bing Cherry, Licorice $45.00 $38.00 $456.00

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RO

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C0318W2DC - Chardonnay, 2014. Sawbuck Asian Pear, Apple $14.99 $6.99 $83.88

C0418W2DW - Chardonnay, 2014. Pacific Oasis Lovely Citrus $18.99 $6.99 $83.88

V0318W2IF - Chardonnay, 2015. Domaine Saint-Estève Nuanced Quince $20.99 $11.99 $143.88

C0518W1DC - Chardonnay, 2015. Spellbound Pear and Spice $17.99 $6.99 $83.88

L0318W3IF - Gewürztraminer, 2013. Martin Schaetzel Ripe, Luscious Apricot $24.99 $13.99 $167.88

L0618W3II - Garganega, 2016. Acinum Kiwi, Passionfruit $23.98 $13.99 $167.88


L0518W4IP - Alvarinho/Loureiro, 2016. Soalheiro Fresh Flowers $23.99 $13.99 $167.88

C0618W1DC - Chenin Blanc, 2017. PAF Lovely Melon, Pineapple $17.99 $6.99 $83.88

C0618W2IC - Sauvignon Blanc, 2015. Cremaschi Lively, Lovely $19.99 $6.99 $83.88

V0618W1IC - Chardonnay, 2016. Mecedora Asian Pear, Pineapple $19.99 $12.99 $155.88

V0618W2II - Vespaiolo, 2015. Soarda Citrus Edge $18.99 $12.99 $155.88

L0618W4IF - Bergerac, 2016. Cht Des Eyssards Peach, Apple, Granite $23.98 $13.99 $167.88

N0618W1DC - Chardonnay, 2015. Aviary Spice, Apple, Vanilla $25.00 $19.99 $239.88

B0618W1IF - Bordeaux, 2016. Petite Sirène Fresh Herbs, Apricot $28.00 $16.00 $192.00

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SREORDER PRICES ON EARLIER FAVORITES!

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