wines evaluated last month: 383 • rejected: 322 • …...wines evaluated last month: 383 •...

Wines evaluated last month: 383 • Rejected: 322 • Approved: 61 • Selected: 12 MAY 2012

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ou would have neverknown that the rainwas coming down at

the Santa Anita UncorkedWine Tasting. In fact, becauseof the rain, they moved theevent under the grandstandsright on the track. The foodwas incredible, the winesplentiful, and the horse racing exhilarating (havingpicked winners in the firsttwo races; skunked from thatpoint). Seriously, watchingthese gorgeous beasts runwith all their might in thepouring rain was inspiring.Maybe it was the wine.Regardless, don’t miss it next year.

Paul KalemkiarianOwner/Cellarmaster

can’t make up my mind. This is really something. EveryTuesday I have more great wine than I did the previousTuesday. Today an Australian wine importer came in.Most of his wines were really good. In fact, I am taking

one of the samples home for dinner tonight. I said, “Yourprices are really good value for these wines. Why are you discounting so heavily?” (Understand, my negotiating skillsneed improvement.)

He responded, “We have great success with beer in our company and we have extraordinary success with our distilled spirits. For some reason (and he named a few thatdidn’t make sense to me) we can’t sell wine.” I thought fora second and agreed that selling wine was much differentthan selling the other two products….and I began to think.

When I started my business career at Xerox, one of the great sales organizations in the country, we were alwaysbeing trained on new products that were not part of themainstream reprographics side of the company. First theytried typewriters, trying to unseat the prolific IBM Selectric. I can tell you the Xerox Memorywriter was years ahead of theSelectric, and really was an amazing product. I signed thefirst multi-unit contract in the country. The whole thing died.Can you imagine? Then they tried computers. Yes, Xerox PCs so long ago, it was before DOS. How do you think thatwent? Failed.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks and can’t teach a liquorrep to sell wine. Wine has to be presented by qualified people to talk about it, to massage it, to romance it. It annoysme to no end when a representative doesn’t understandwhat they have and what it is all about. For now, I just turnthe other cheek and focus on the wine.

PK

Y

I

What’s What’s NewNew This Month? This Month?What’s What’s NewNew This Month? This Month?

What’s New? 2Classic Series: Villa de Mese Sangiovese 3Classic Series: Blonde Bombshell White Blend 4Classic Series: Deer Ridge Syrah 5Classic Series: Pacific Oasis Chardonnay 6Classic Series Earlier Selections 7Cellar Notes 8Vintners Series: Martin Fierro Malbec 9Vintners Series: Keyways Chardonnay 10Vintners Series: Sol de Chile Syrah 11Vintners Series: Pinot Grigio Dancing Coyote 12Vintners Series Earlier Selections 13

Facebook 14Limited Series: Thornton Cabernet Sauvignon 15Limited Series: Noster Inicial Grenache/Carignan 16Limited Series: Wattle Creek Chardonnay 17Limited Series: Jack Hammer Chardonnay 18Limited Series Earlier Selections 19For Members Only 20Gifts & More 21Recipe: Recipe: Lemon and Rosemary Chicken 22Recipe: Recipe: Veal Saltimboca 22Tasting Notes 23The Corkboard 24

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ITEM #: 512R1

Retail Price: $14.99/each

Member Price: $10.98/each

Reorder Price: $7.99/each

47% Discount

Sangiovese(San joe VAYSAY)

2010

Villa de Mese Puglia, Italy

Color:Pale magenta

Nose:Spice, plum and cherry

Palate:Warm and generouscherry and plum

Finish:Very clean with hints of spice

Drink nowthrough 2015

WOMC RATING93 Points

countryside in search ofindigenous grape varietals.Since ancient times, Italy hasserved as a sort of open-airnursery for Mediterraneangrape varietals. There are at least 2,000 indigenous grape varieties in Italy, andabout 360 are used to makecommercial wines.

Apulia produces more winethan any other Italian region,usually making up around17% of the national total. It

also competeswi th S i c i l y for first place a s g r a p e producer. For a long time,much of thewine madeh e r e w a sshipped northto Turin whereit was used to

make Vermouth. In recentyears, Pugliese vintners havechanged their views andtastes and are pursuingwines that effectively balance sweetness, acid,alcohol content and density.

The noble Tuscan varietal,Sangiovese, is the grapehere. Even though it is grownin Puglia, the heel of theboot of Italy, Castellaniknows a lot about it since itis the principle grape in theirsignature wines from Chianti.The lovely flavors of cherryand spice would be perfectwith a variety of dishes fromlamb to chicken.

illa de Mese is part ofthe historic, cuttingedge Cas te l l an i

Tuscan estate. Castellani wasestablished in Montecavoli in 1903 as Alfred and hisbrother Mario, long-standingwine growers, decided tobottle and sell their ownwine instead of providingother wineries with thefinest grapes in the area. Themost important vineyardwas the one in Santa Lucia,in the fertileArno Valley,w h e r e asprightly and“fit for aging”red wine wasp r o d u c e d .C a s t e l l a n iWinery haschanged andevolved overthe decades.

All of their estates use a natural cultivation and vinetraining method. It is an integrated method that uses viticulture practices of various organic, ecologicaland biodynamic systems,supported by a wideresearch and experimentalprogram. They use onlyorganic soil and pest treatments and conserve allpaper and waste beyond the guidelines set for beingsustainable.

For nearly 20 years now,Castellani, in collaborationwith the University of Pisa,has been scouring the

V

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ITEM #: 512W1




54% Discount

Modeled after c lass icHollywood horror films, TheBlonde Bombshell packagestops people in their tracks.On the floor or shelf, herlabel captures the attentionof passers-by, luring them into close the sale. The BlondeBombshell combines two ofCalifornia's most popularattributes—winemaking andHo l l ywood—in to one tempting bottle of wine.Tapping the strengths ofCalifornia winemaking

(diverse micro-c l i m a t e s , varietal-specificg r o w i n gr e g i o n s , a b u n d a n tsourcing, abilityto blend), TheB l o n d eB o m b s h e l ldelivers an

irresistibly good qualitywine.

Our selection is a blend ofequal parts of Chenin Blanc,Riesling and Muscat. TheMuscat is immediatelyapparent with its effusive“musk oil” aroma, but isquickly followed by the complexity of the Rieslingand finished off with theChenin’s trademark finish.

This seductive wine featuresimpossible to resist fruity,floral aromas and flavors.Quality grapes coursethrough her veins, giving hera lusc ious, nectar- l ikemouthfeel and smoothenchanting finish. Great withblack cod or swordfish.

elebrated wine-maker Jeff Boothhas p roduced

another stunner of a wine.The Blonde Bombshell, aCalifornia white wine, is sureto be another blockbusterand an instant cult classic,just like her partner, The BigRed Monster. Jeff producedaward-winning German-style Rieslings at FeltonEmpire Winery in the '70s,and was the first winemakerat Napa's Pine Ridge Wineryin 1980. He coordinated the1984 red winecrush at RobertM o n d a v iW i n e r y i nOakville. Duringhis eight yearsat Conn Creekwinery, Jeffworked closelywith legendarywinemaker andconsultant Andre Tchelistcheff.

Jeff has worked with a variety of wines from fruitywhites to ultra-premiumCabernets. He also has experience with premiumfruit wines. He has worked atwineries in managementand winemaking positionsthat produced between3,000 to 8 million cases per year.

From 1996 through 1999,Jeff was brand winemakerfor “Expressions,” a 6,000case line of premium winesfor Glen Ellen Winery. TheExpressions wines won moregold medals than all otherwines in the portfolio combined. This included bothBV and Sterling wineries.

C

Chenin Blanc/Riesling/Muscat

(Shenin Blonk/REES ling/MUHS kuht)

NV

The BlondeBombshell

California

Color:Golden straw

Nose:White peach and spice

Palate:Lovely peach, lemonpeel and melon

Finish:Crisp and clean with apeach jam component



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ITEM #: 512R2




58% Discount


Syrah(See-RAH)

2003/2004

Deer RidgeLivermore, California

Color:Magenta

Nose:Light berry, game

and earth

Palate:Earthy and gamey

with berry and cherry

Finish:Soft edges and round

Drink now through 2013


of their winery. Theysearched around California,looking for the ideal spot tostart his winery, and found a30-acre vineyard at the corner of Wetmore andArroyo. This land was thesame land in which CharlesWetmore grew the wine thatwon the 1889 Grand Prize atthe Paris Exposition. This wasthe first California winery towin such an award, almost100 years before theJudgment of Paris featured inthe movie “Bottleshock.”

Carl and Cherieplanted theirvineyards in2000. The firstcrush was in2002, and theC a b e r n e tSauvignon that

year won a double goldmedal—and the awards have continued since. Thenew tasting room and eventcenter opened in 2007. Thebeautiful Tuscan style facilityis a very popular place forweddings and other events.It houses a large hall andboth indoor and outdoorfacilities for weddings.

This selection is a full-throttle Syrah with lots ofsolid berry and game flavors,yet not overdone to thepoint of distraction. It wouldeasily compliment a charredsteak or venison chop.

n t h e 4 0 t h anniversary of thefounding of the

Wine of the Month Club, weannounce a historic first. For the first time, we aresending out two differentvintages of the same wine.There wasn’t enough ofeither to supply everyoneand the wines were identical, even though fromdifferent vintages. We justcouldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity.

First of all, toget wines ofth i s qua l i t ywith age ont h e m i s impossible intoday’s world.Most wineriescan’t afford tostore wines that long andmost people won‘t pay theextra price. But when achance like this happens,everybody wins.

Deer Ridge was founded byCarl and Cherie Lyle, and wasoriginally a venture capitalistinvestment. Carl fell in lovewith winemaking, walkedaway from the venture capitalist world and investedhis time in Deer Ridge.

I m p r e s s e d b y t h e renaissance happening inthe Livermore Valley, theyacquired land there andbegan planning each detail

O

Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

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of the wine press. He has

set himself up as the wine

everyman whose sole

m i ss ion i s to b r i ng

reasonably priced wines to

the table just like his

ancestors did in a post-

war-torn Italy.

So far so good as Franzia’s

labels, now numbering

in the dozens, are all

exceptional values and have

helped build his empire to

the level it is

today. Making

no comprises

and taking no

prisoners, their

brands are still

the ones to

beat.

Chardonnay hasn’t lost any

of its luster in California, and

as a result, the prices, even

in a recession, have been

increasing. We honestly

thought that this wine would

be for the Vintner’s Series

once we tasted it, and had to

hold our enthusiasm so that

we could actually offer it in

the Classic. There is a classic

minerality and mouthfeel we

only get from wines costing

four to five times as much.

We think you’ll find this to

be a great bargain.

ollowing in the foot-

steps of his legendary

uncle, none other

than Earnest Gallo, Fred

Franzia founded the Bronco

Wine in 1973. Bronco owns

ove r 35 ,000 ac res o f

vineyards, making them one

of the largest vineyard

holders in the state. Most of

their holdings are located in

California's Central Valley,

but a growing number are in

California’s prime vineyard

areas like Napa,

Sonoma and

M o n t e r e y .

Bronco has the

capacity to

produce 23

million cases of

wine annually,

making it one

of the largest wineries in the

world behind Constellation

Brands based in New York.

Franzia's marketing methods

contrast with those of his

higher-priced competitors.

He is often credited with

introducing new consumers

to the wine market, and

ultimately to the premium

brands. His business model is

based on the surplus of

grapes that followed the

collapse of the dot com

market in the late 1990s. His

famous quotes on wine

values litter the landscape

F

ITEM #: 512W2




63% Discount

Chardonnay(Shar doe nay)

2009

Pacific Oasis Monterey, California

Color:Very pale

Nose:Fresh apple

Palate:Slight with a hint

of spice

Finish:Apple, minerals and vanilla



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Reg Reorder CaseItem # Wine Name Retail Price Price Price

312R1 - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009. Tasi* $16.99 $7.99 $95.88“Cherry with hints of earth, chocolate and spice”

*Featured in the California Wine Series

312W1 - Sauvignon Blanc, 2010. Eden’s Eve $17.99 $6.99 $83.88“Fresh herbs, peach and lime”

312R2 - Syrah, 2007. Deer Ridge $19.99 $7.99 $95.88“Earthy and gamey with berry and cherry”

312W2 - Chardonnay, 2008. Beringer $16.99 $6.99 $83.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

412R1 - Tempranillo, 2010. Peromato $17.99 $7.99 $95.88“Ripe plum and earth”

412W1 - Chardonnay, 2009. Tasi $13.99 $6.99 $83.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of melon”

412R2 - Merlot, 2009. Tasi* $16.99 $7.99 $95.88“Cherry with hints of earth, chocolate and plum”


412W2 - Riesling/Viognier, 2008. $13.99 $6.99 $83.88Shoofly (Buzz Cut) “Slate, peach and lime”

512R1- Sangiovese, 2010. Villa de Mese $14.99 $7.99 $95.88“Warm and generous cherry and plum”

512W1- White Blend, NV. Blonde Bombshell $12.99 $5.99 $71.88“Lovely peach, lemon peel and spice”

512R2- Syrah, 2003/2004. Deer Ridge* $18.99 $7.99 $95.88“Earthy and gamey with berry and cherry”


512W2- Chardonnay, 2009. Pacific Oasis $18.99 $6.99 $83.88“Slight with a hint of spice”

8

CELLAR NOTES

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

Classic Series:

May 2010:Zinfandel, 2008. Oak Grove. Still great.Grenache Rose, 2008. Mrs. Wigley. Drink up.Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007. Domaine Laurier. Drink or hold.Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc, 2008. Westerland. Drink up.

May 2011:Merlot, 2009. Alma de Chile. Drink or hold.Sauvignon Blanc, 2010. Corinto. Perfect.Zinfandel, 2007. Dry Canyon. Still great.Chardonnay, 2009. Caliterra. Drink now.

Vintners Series:

May 2010:Pinot Noir, 2007. Claiborne & Churchill. Still awesome.Pedro Ximénez, 2009. Viña Falernia. Perfect.Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006. Sandholdt. Perfect.Chardonnay, 2009. Tall Timber. Drink up.

May 2011:Malbec, 2009. Clayhouse. Still great.Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. Mike Weir. Drink up.Carignane, 2008. Meli. Still great.Torrontes, 2009. Alta Vista. Best now.

Limited Series:

May 2010:Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 (Fusion). Opolo. Perfect.Shiraz, 2007. Ondine. Drink or hold.Chenin Blanc, 2008. Ondine. Drink up.Pinot Gris, 2009. Torrent Bay. Drink now.

May 2011:Tempranillo, 2007. Rejadorada. Still great.Sangiovese, 2008. Enkidu. Years ahead for it.Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. Babcock. Beautiful now.Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. Henry Marionnet. Can go another year.

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of Bordeaux, where it hasnow almost completely disappeared. Its new homeis Argentina, where, aftermore than 100 years of nurturing, it has become one of the biggest darlings in the international red wine arena.

Ma lbec g rapes a re reasonably small, very dark,and juicy. Controlling thefruiting of the vines is

impor tan t toensu re good c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f f l a v o r s .Fortunately, theArgentine wineindustry's almost100% reliance on irrigation (itvirtually neverr a i n s ) g i v e s growers the toolsthey need to

ensure quality grapes andthus quality wines.

Malbec, however, is fairlysensitive to its climate. Incooler conditions it is a thick-skinned grape whichdevelops a high acid andhigh tannic content, givingrise to more robust wines. Atlower altitudes, the grapeshave thinner skins, morejuice, and produce wines thatare lighter-bodied and moresuited for drinking young.The best, as is our selection,is a combination of both. Thisis a very imposing wine with years to go. Try withsmoked ribs.

he Martin Fierro winery and vineyardsa re l o ca ted in

Argentina’s Tulum Valley. The Tulum Valley in the SanJuan Province is the city with the second highestwine production rate in the country (the first isMendoza). Its capital, SanJuan city, is 1,000 miles fromBuenos Aires and is locatedbetween the Andes and Piede Palo hills at the left bank of San JuanRiver. The averagealtitude is 1800feet above sealevel, the rainfallis scarce and t h e a v e r a g e temperature is acool 63 degrees.

T h i s r e g i o n produces veryh i g h q u a l i t y ,typically sweet wines madefrom Moscatel de Alejandría,Torrontés, Chenin Blanc andPedro Ximénez varieties. TheAngaco Moscatels are alsofamous together with therich, fortified wines whichare very popular locally. It isbecoming known for reds asthe pioneering winemakerslearn to deal with the coolerclimates. Fortunately, thenearly non-existent rainfallmakes it much easier. Thevineyards are moistened bythe continual melting snowpack of the Andes.

Malbec was originally one ofthe minor blending varieties

T

ITEM #: V512R1




37% Discount

Malbec(MAL beck)

2010

Martin FierroTulum, Argentina

Color:Dark purple

Nose:Tobacco, blackberry

and plum

Palate:Leather and earthmixed with lots of

blackberry

Finish:Concentrated, tannicwith blackberry fruit



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what she calls the “RomanticSide” of Temecula’s WineCountry. Far from the bustleand limousines of RanchoCalifornia Road, Keyways ismaking its mark with a penchant for service, specialevents, quality wines and anintimate and comfortabletasting room.

The Temecula Valley is a ve r i t ab le pa rad i se encompassing an area thatincludes over 35,000 acres ofrolling hills and vineyards.Rural in nature, sustainable

in fa rm ing p r a c t i c e sincluding ana g r i c u l t u r a l p r e s e r v eknown as theCitrus/Vineyardz o n e , t h eT e m e c u l aValley is widelyrecognized as

the “jewel” of RiversideCounty. Grapes have beenharvested here for over half a century, however it’sonly been in the last decade where we have seen a tremendous increase in quality.

This refreshingly “unoaked”Chardonnay brings a floralnose with pleasant notes oflemon zest, pineapple, greenapples, and white peaches.An undertone of shortbreadand mineral characters makethis wine unique and veryenjoyable. The mineral crispness of this wine makesit an ideal companion withbutter sautéed shrimp orscallops with mushroomshallots.

n 2004, Terri Pebley, a successful Temeculabus iness woman,

purchased the winery andsurrounding property andKeyways embarked on anew era. The new KeywaysWinery has the unique distinction of being the firstwoman-owned winery inTemecula Valley, and one offew in California.

Between 2004 and now, theentire estate has undergonean extensive makeoverincluding the tasting room,p r o d u c t i o nfac i l i t y and vineyards. Thenew tastingroom providesan elegantlyrustic environ-ment for gueststo enjoy winetasting, giftbrowsing andspecial events. Terri and theother talented women of hersenior management teambring a decidedly femininetouch to the art and romanceof visiting an estate winery.The feminine touch is seen in the warmly decoratedtasting room, the display and quality of the gift shop,the warm welcome fromemployees and the exceptional service witheach visit . Keyways Winery invites you to “Sharethe Romance.”

Terri oversaw a dramatic$1.5 million makeover ofthe winery and tasting roomthat has transformedKeyways into a comfortableand entertaining place forwine lovers to gather in

I

ITEM #: V512W1




37% Discount

Chardonnay(Shar doe NAY)

2009/2010

KeywaysTemecula, California

Color:Pale gold

Nose:Apple and spice

Palate:Rich pineapple with

a hint of spice

Finish:Spiced apple and

pineapple



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Spanish priest Francisco de

Carabantes in 1548. A few

years later, Francisco de

Aguirre planted the first

vineyards and produced the

first harvest in 1551. It was

not until the mid-nineteenth

century that Chile saw a

significant transformation of

its winemaking industry

when a number of wealthy

families introduced top-

quality vine stocks, such

a s Cabe rnet

Sauvignon, Merlot,

and Malbec.

From generation

to generation, the

art of winemaking

in Ch i l e has

evo lved and

improved to

where it has

now earned a

w o r l d - c l a s s

reputation. Five hundred

years of history and tradition

guarantee that the winery

will keep its promise of

quality in every single bottle.

He re i s ye t anothe r

spectacular Syrah from Chile

offering expansive black fruit

and earth flavors, packed

with power to spare. This

selection will improve with

time in the bottle. It is best

served cool with rich red

meats like garlic-infused

leg of lamb or strong

cheeses like stilton or

smoked gouda.

iñedos Sol de Chileis located near thepicturesque town of

Villa Alegre in the heart ofthe Maule Valley , which is200 miles south of Santiago,the capital of Chile. The sunlight, the crystal-clearwater of the Andes and the fertile soil combinebeautifully to produce winesof extraordinary quality. Thetown of Villa Alegre is knownfor its historical colonialh o u s e s a n dchurches, for theorange trees thatadorn the mainstreet of the townand for the tree-lined avenues.

The vineyardse n j o y a n e x c e p t i o n a l climate. The dayand nighttime temperaturevariation in the summer aswell as the full exposure tosunlight during the ripeningperiod allow for superb tannin development andexcellent concentration ofaroma and color. The vineyards are located lessthan 60 miles from thePacific Ocean at 300 feetabove sea level. The vineyards' 400 acres are dripirrigated in order to carefullycontrol the healthy growth of the grapes.

The first vine stocks were

brought to Chile by the

V

ITEM #: V512R2




39% Discount

Syrah(See RAH)

2009

Sol de ChileMaule, Chile

Color:Very deep red

Nose:Blueberry and chocolate

Palate:Full and rich with earth and licorice

Finish:Very extracted blueberry



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means “gray” in Italian) fromthe color of its grapes. TheClarksburg appellation isideal for producing it, mainlydue to its climate and richsandy, clay soils. The DancingCoyote vineyards enjoy hotsummer days from theSacramento Valley, whichallow the intense aroma ofthe fruit to develop. But theyare also exposed to the coolmaritime breezes from thebay in the evenings, givingthe grapes a fresh acidity.They take special care in all

aspects of theirgrape growing,from deficit irrigation toprecise pruningtechniques tohandpicking atharvest.

Grapes werehand-picked in the morningand gently pressed. Juicewas cold settled and fermented cold in stainlesssteel tanks. The wine wasallowed to sit on light leesfor several months beforeracking. The wine was thenfinished for bottling, neverseeing any oak of malolacticfermentation. This clean andcrisp Pinot Grigio is bestserved chilled. It pairs wellwith light-flavored foodssuch as mild cheeses, freshfruit, grilled chicken andpasta dishes, like pesto andrisotto. A wonderful wine forsummertime gatherings.

ancing Coyote is afamily-run, -ownedand - ope ra ted

vineyard located in a beautiful stretch of land inCal i fornia’s C larksburg appellation. They’ve beenfarming in the Delta regionalong the Sacramento Riverfor five generations. Fromthe growing and harvestingof the grapes at the peak of their flavor, to crushing,aging and handcrafting thefinal product, the family hasa hand in it all. In short,winemaking isthe family’sg r e a t e s t passion, so itgoes withoutsaying thatthey’re in it forthe long haul.

The Clarksburgappel lat ion is quickly developing quite a following—by wine connoisseurs andgastronomes alike—for thequality of its grapes. The growing conditions, exemplified by warm summer days and coolnights, make the climateideal during the long growing season for a greatmany varietals. It’s duringthis critical summer seasonthat gentle maritime breezesfrom the San Francisco Baywork their magic on thegrapes grown here.

This Italian grape is a lightermutation of Pinot Noir. Itgets its name "Grigio" (which

D

ITEM #: V512W2




33% Discount

Pinot Grigio(Peeno Greegio)

2011

Dancing CoyoteClarksburg, California

Color:Golden

Nose:Guava, pear and toasted nuts

Palate:Lovely pear nuancewith honeysuckle

Finish:Very crisp with a touch of guava



Earlier VINTNERS SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!



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V312R1 - Carménère, 2011. San Clemente $17.99 $12.99 $155.88“Blackberry, earth and soft tannins”

V312W1 - Viognier, 2010. Take One $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Asian pear and lychee”

V312R2 - Merlot, 2008. L & H Cellars $17.99 $9.99 $119.88"Very clean cranberry and soft tannins"

V312W2 - Colombard, 2010. $17.99 $10.99 $131.88Domaine Saint-Lannes “Fresh herbs, nectarine and lime”

V412R1 - Sangiovese, 2009. Suspicion* $21.99 $12.99 $155.88“Leather and tar mixed with cherries”


V412W1 - Grenache Blanc, 2010. Ressò $18.99 $10.99 $131.88“Lovely pear nuance with honeysuckle”

V412R2 - Zinfandel, 2009. Pretense $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Ripe berry and plum”

V412W2 - Vermentino, 2009. Chesebro $24.99 $11.99 $143.88“Soft, engaging apple and quince with swatches of lime”

V512R1- Malbec, 2010. Martin Fierro $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Leather and earth mixed with lots of blackberry”

V512W1- Chardonnay, 2009/2010. Keyways $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

V512R2- Syrah, 2009. Sol de Chile $17.99 $10.99 $131.88“Full and rich with earth and licorice”

V512W2- Pinot Grigio, 2011. Dancing Coyote $17.99 $11.99 $143.88“Lovely pear nuance with honeysuckle ”


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Thornton Winery’s Old Worldcharm and grace are mostapparent when visiting thewinery in Temecula. Thewinery, an elegant French-style château overlookingthe graceful vineyards of the Temecula Val ley, highlights Café Champagne,a breathtaking FountainTerrace, Herb Gardens, GiftShop, and ChampagneLounge.

Thornton Winery’s CaféChampagne restaurant is aFour Star Award-Winning

G o u r m e t establishmentf e a t u r i n gContemporaryFusion Cuisine.The winery isthe perfectvenue for thewidely popularC h a m p a g n eJazz concert

series, scheduled from Aprilthrough October. Nationallyrenowned, contemporaryjazz artists perform in the winery’s intimate, outdoor setting. It hasbecome the showplace winery in Temecula.

This is the first CabernetSauvignon we’ve tried fromTemecula in a very longtime, and needless to say,it’s a winner. This is not thebig jammy wine we seefrom the North, but a morerestrained offering meant to go with more dished than red meat and game.Great with grilled pork chopsor even chicken.

hornton was foundedby John McBrideThornton who was

born and raised in LongBeach , Ca l i fo rn i a . Hereceived a B.A. from PomonaCollege and an MBA fromHarvard Business School.Commissioned in the U.S.Navy Reserve, he served twoyears aboard a destroyerpicket ship off Korea and theFormosa patrol. His final rankwas lieutenant.

F r om t h e b e g i n n i n g ,Thornton Winery utilizedskills perfectedin blendingM é t h o d eChampenoiseS p a r k l i n g Wine, and thenapplied them to the new p r e m i u m varietal stil lwines in 1993.The result: more awards andmedals. Over the years,some very unique premiumvarietal wines have beenadded to the product line.These varietals emulate classic wine styles of theMediterranean and Rhôneregions.

Thornton Winery favors producing wine that is exciting for its freshness,bursting with flavor andshowcasing the distinct character ist ics of the varietals included in the blend, using whole cluster pressing, extensive blending, barrel aging, and different vinificationtechniques.

T

ITEM #: L512R1




48% Discount

CabernetSauvignon(Kab air NAY

Soo ving YAHN)

2010

ThorntonTemecula, California

Color:Dark magenta

Nose:Earth, licorice and

black cherry

Palate:Ripe berry and plum

Finish:Lovely berry extractwith plummy fruit



Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

LIMITED

SER

IES

L I M I T E DMAY

2012


to keep some freshness to

the wine. After 12 months,

both halves are assembled.

Grenache, known here as

Garnacha, has been grown

in the Priorat region of

Catalonia for several

hundred years. The unique

combination of extremely

old vines planted on steep

terraces and soil produces

very low yields which makes

P r io ra t a

dense, rich

concentrated

and da rk-

colored wine

with notice-

able tannins.

Nearly 40%

of all the

vineyard land

in the Priorat region is

planted to Garnacha, and

most of the rest is Carignan,

but the acreage of Cabernet

Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot

increased before 2000 as

modernist producers sought

to blend those varieties to

add complexity.

Intense cherry red in color

with garnet nuances.

Complex on the nose, notes

of red fruits evolving to

jam fruits, plums and

figs, chocolate and vanilla.

Full-bodied in the mouth,

complex, with persistent and

round tannins. A must with

pork tenderloin in a mustard

rosemary sauce.

a Perla Del Priorat is

one of Priorat's oldest

wineries. Founded in

the 15th century by the

Carthusian monks of Scala

Dei under the name of "Mas

Dels Frares" (House of the

Friars), it used to be an

important monastery of

Priorat. It was surrounded by

a huge vineyard (up to

90,000 vines). As the fame

of the wines blended in

the "Mas Dels

Frares" grew

quickly, it was

named “La

Pe r l a De l

Priorat” in the

beginning of

t h e 1 8 t h

century.

Almost one hundred years

later, Count Pirenne bought

the Mas Dels Frares along

with more than 230 acres of

land around it. All of this

land is situated within the

Priorat. Convinced of the

potential of this particular

area of Priorat, he founded

the winery “La Perla Del

Priorat SL” in 1998, of which

Noster Inicial is a part.

The blend is 70% Grenache,

25% Carignan and 5%

Cabernet Sauvignon. After

fermentation, half of the

wine goes into French oak

barrels for 12 months.

The other half remains in

stainless steel tanks in order

L

ITEM #: L512R2




40% Discount

Grenache/Carignan(Gren AWCH Care in YAWN)

2005

Noster InicialPriorat, Spain

Color:Garnet

Nose:Currant, blackberry

and cedar

Palate:Plum and cherry with

soft tannins

Finish:Long and forebodingwith a berry and vanilla swash



LIMITED

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With unbridled enthusiasm,top vineyard and winemakingexpertise and outstandingvineyard locations, theWilliams family is poised to make Wattle Creek a success. The winery currentlyproduces Shiraz, Chardonnay,Cabe rnet Sauv ignon ,Viognier and SauvignonBlanc in small quantities, all with an emphasis on outstanding fruit characterand full expression of theestate v ineyards f rom

which they are produced.

After achievingthe desired flavors in thevineyard, thisC h a r d o n n a ywas harvestedby hand into

picking bins in the middle ofthe night while the grapeswere cold in an effort to preserve the delicate flavorsthat are key to this varietal.The fruit was received in thecellar in small bins wherethe grapes were whole cluster pressed to tank, andimmediately chilled and settled prior to fermentation.The j u i ce was then t rans fe r red to F rench oak barrels to ferment completely in the barrels.This is a full and rich style ofChardonnay that befits theirAustralian homeland and the Alexander Val ley appellations. Great with halibut and pesto.

n March of 1994,Christopher and KristineWil l iams began a

journey that would take them from being avid winelovers and collectors to passionate winery owners.They purchased a 56-acrev ineya rd and w ine ry property just south of thetown of Cloverdale in northern Sonoma County.The home and winery on theproperty, formerly owned byEmmy-winningcomedian PatPaulsen, havebeen underr e n o v a t i o nsince the dateof purchase.

With their rootsfirmly plantedin their Australian homeland,the Williamses wanted tospecialize in Australian grapevarieties, and sought aregion with a climate similarto the warm Barossa Valleyin southern Australia. WattleCreek’s location in northernAlexander Valley providedthem with exactly what theywere seeking.

The winery’s name isderived from Australia’s wattle tree, a member of theAcacia family with distinctiveyellow blossoms. Images ofthese blossoms can be seenon Wattle Creek’s labels, andthe trees add color to thewinery property.

I

ITEM #: L512W3




36% Discount

Chardonnay(Shar doe NAY)

2009

Wattle CreekAlexander Valley,

California

Color:Pale gold

Nose:Fresh apple and

vanilla

Palate:Rich pineapple with

a hint of spice

Finish:Apple and vanilla



LIMITED

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L I M I T E DMAY

2012


reading an article in TimeMagaz ine abou t the emerging U.S. wine industry.

Dooley found himself quicklyadopting the “Burgundianstyle” of making Pinot Noirand Chardonnay. In the years that followed, Dooleycontinued to make wine atEdna Valley Vineyard alongthe lines established byChalone, but over the courseof time, added many of hisown nuances of style. A

major factor in the winery'ss u c c e s s , according toDooley, is theextraordinarilyf i ne g rapessupplied by theEdna Valley.

Dooley is “the” guy when itcomes to Chardonnay fromthe Central Coast. He put iton the map with Edna ValleyVineyards, and it’s still there.Without the cost constraintshe had previously, Steve canput all the points in thewine, and this beauty is oneof his best. This amazingoffering comes from theSanta Lucia Highlands, one ofthe most respected areas inCalifornia for Chardonnay.The cool climate here is what accounts for the myriadcomplex flavors and long finish. Great with shellfish.

ack Hammer is a partnership betweenStephen Ross Dooley,owner and winemaker

of Stephen Ross Winery, andSandy Garber, owner andfounder of Garber & Co.Wine, and their families.

Fol lowing graduat ion,Stephen Dooley met withwhat he considers anextraordinary piece of goodluck. He was hired to work atthe Louis M. Martini Wineryin the NapaValley, one oft h e e a r l y p ionee r s o ft o d a y ’ sCalifornia winei n d u s t r y .Starting out, asDooley himselflikes to put it, “at the bottom of the totem pole,”he was initially employed as a “shoveler,” shoveling pomace out of red wine fermentation tanks, until he eventually became the assistant winemaker.

After completing seven vintages at Edna ValleyVineyard, Steve Dooley leftEdna Valley Vineyard duringthe summer of 1994 to form his own company, and develop his own label underhis first and middle name“Stephen Ross.” Dooleyrecal ls f i rst becomingintrigued with winemakingaround 1970, while still ahigh school student, after

J

ITEM #: L512W4




36% Discount

Chardonnay(Shar doe nay)

2010

Jack HammerEdna Valley, California

Color:Golden

Nose:Green apple and spice

Palate:Full, but not overbearing

Finish:Lovely spice with

touches of green apple



LIMITED

SERIES


Earlier LIMITED SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!


L312R1 - Zinfandel, 2009. Sextant* $22.99 $15.99 $191.88“Ripe berry and plum”


L312R2 - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009. $25.99 $14.99 $179.88Valentín Bianchi “Leather and earth mixed with lots of berries”

L312W3 - Sauvignon Blanc, 2010. $21.99 $11.99 $143.88Casas del Bosque“Clean and ripe with a touch of citrus”

L312W4 - Chardonnay, 2010. $21.99 $11.99 $143.88Casas del Bosque “Apple and pear with a hint of spice”

L412R1 - Malbec, 2008. Las Nencias $21.99 $14.99 $179.88“Leather and earth mixed with lots of berries”

L412R2 - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009. $24.99 $14.99 $179.88LangeTwins “Blackberry with hints of earth, leather and spice”

L412W3 - Chardonnay, 2010. LangeTwins $25.99 $13.99 $167.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

L412W4 - Chardonnay, 2010. Hope Estate $26.99 $13.99 $167.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

L512R1- Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010. Thornton* $28.99 $14.99 $179.88“Ripe berry and plum”


L512R2- Grenache/Carignan, 2005. $24.99 $14.99 $179.88Noster Inicial“Plum and cherry with soft tannins”

L512W3- Chardonnay, 2009. Wattle Creek $24.99 $15.99 $191.88“Rich pineapple with a hint of spice”

L512W4- Chardonnay, 2010. Jack Hammer $21.99 $13.99 $167.88“Full, but not overbearing”

MEM

BER

S

Q

A. The style of the wine comes first from the grapes, andthen from the vintner. From vineyard to cellar, thewinemaker makes hundreds of decisions. When shouldwe harvest the grapes? How long should the juice befermented? Stainless steel or oak? New oak or old oak?Blend? Each decision shapes the profile, or final style, of the wine.

The difference in “California style” and “European style”of winemaking comes first, of course, from the differentterroirs of the regions. As a result, the generous fruit ofCalifornia wines will always set them apart from their overseas counterparts. So said, the spirit of this answer liesin the history of winemaking. In Europe, the wines havebeen produced by traditional methods for hundreds of years.It could be said that the decisions have already been madefor the vintner—made not just for this year, but for the past hundreds of years. In the United States, particularlyCalifornia, there are few traditions. The winemakers feel freeto experiment and make full use of modern practices and technology. Louis Martini, one of the fathers of California winemaking, said, “You’re never going to stylize the Californiawines the same way the European wines have been stylized,because we have more freedom to experiment. I value my freedom to make the style of wine that I want, more than thesecurity of the A.O.C. laws. Laws discourage experimentation.”

I would say that the style of California winemaking is characterizedby diversity. One winery might produce many varietals and makecreative blends, while one winery in Europe will make only one ortwo wines which are legally proscribed in terms of grapes and production methods. Neither philosophy results in a better wine. It’sall just a matter of preference. Wonderful wines are produced fromboth styles of winemaking.

F O R M E M B E R S O N L YF O R M E M B E R S O N L Y

“What is the ‘California style’ of winemaking andhow is it different from European winemaking?”

~ A.K., Chesterfield, MO

Q&A


21

V i s i t o u r w e b s i t e a t w w w . W i n e o f t h e M o n t h C l u b . c o m

f o r g i f t b a s k e t s , g i f t m e m b e r s h i p s a n d v a r i o u s

w i n e a s s o r t m e n t s .

A. Classic Series Gift Membership The gift that makes everyone smile, this ISthe club that started it all—I mean reallystarted "wine to your door." The founding feature of Wine of the Month Club is theClassic Series. First shipment arrives in ahandsome burgundy linen gift box and isaccompanied by a personalized gift card.

4 Months: $139.99 (plus applicable state taxes)



Shipping & handling included*

B. Vintners Series Gift MembershipThe most recent addition to our family at Wine ofthe Month Club, the Vintners Series gives your giftrecipient an opportunity to experience wines in aprice range that offers a wider variety of grapes andgrowing regions. First shipment arrives in a hand-some burgundy linen gift box and is accompaniedby a personalized gift card.





C. Limited Series Gift MembershipIf your gift recipient appreciates the delicate subtleties of a fine premium wine, the exceptionalspecial occasion selections you’ll find in theLimited Series are bound to please. First shipmentarrives in a handsome burgundy linen gift boxand is accompanied by a personalized gift card.





A

B

C

Gifts & More

*Shipping included for shipments going to contiguous US states. Call for Alaska, Hawaii and/or other rural US territories.

GIFTS &

MORE

Recipes

22

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

1 3 1⁄2-lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil1⁄2 cup fresh rosemary leaves 1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice10 cloves garlic, thinly sliced1 lemon, peel removed, pith and pulp choppedKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper,

to taste

6 veal cutlets (about 2 1/2 ounces each), cut in half crosswise

6 thin slices prosciutto, cut in half crosswise 12 large fresh sage leaves Fine sea salt 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 1/2 tablespoons dry white wine

Preparation:

Gently pound each veal piece between 2 sheets of plastic wrap to 1/8-inchthickness with flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin. Cover each veal piecewith 1 piece prosciutto and 1 sage leaf; secure with wooden picks. Arrange vealon a large plate, prosciutto-side down; very lightly season with salt.

In a 12-inch heavy skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat until foamy; in 2 batches, cook veal, prosciutto-side down, 2 minutes, then turn and cook 10seconds more. Reserving skillet with pan juices, transfer veal to a large servingplatter. Add wine to pan juices and boil 30 seconds, then whisk in 1 tablespoonwater. Pour juices over veal. Serve with Villa de Mese Sangiovese.

Preparation:

1. Toss chicken with oil, rosemary, lemon juice, garlic,lemon, and salt and pepper in bowl. Marinate for 1 hour.

2. Heat oven to 475°. Arrange chicken in a 9" x 13" baking dish; add remainingmarinade. Roast, flipping once, until cooked through, 30–40 minutes. Servewith Wattle Creek Chardonnay.

Veal Saltimboca

Lemon and Rosemary Chicken

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TASTIN

G JO

URNAL

THE CORKBOARDTHE CORKBOARD


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

Wine of the Month ClubP.O. Box 660220, Arcadia, CA 91066

Website: www.WineoftheMonthClub.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/WineoftheMonthClubTwitter: http://twitter.com/wineofthemonth

Newsletter written by: Ed Masciana, Wine Author

CALL: 1-800-949-9463 or [626] 303-1690FAX: [626] 303-2597

wines evaluated last month: 383 • rejected: 322 • …...wines evaluated last month: 383 •...

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