wines evaluated last month: 344 • rejected: 258 • approved...

Wines evaluated last month: 344 • Rejected: 258 • Approved: 86 • Selected: 12 APRIL 2013

2

What’s new 2Classic Series: Pig & Poke Cabernet Sauvignon 3Classic Series: Ballentine Chenin Blanc 4Classic Series: Bacan Cabernet Sauvignon 5Classic Series: Geneseo Sauvignon Blanc 6Classic Series Earlier Selections 7Cellar Notes 8Vintners Series: Baron de Maxime Merlot 9Vintners Series: Reposo Gewurztraminer/Moscatel 10Vintners Series: Gravelly Ford Petite Sirah 11Vintners Series: Lange Twins Sauvignon Blanc 12Vintners Series Earlier Selections 13

Facebook 14Limited Series: Broken Earth Tempranillo 15Limited Series: Quadrant Petit Verdot/Cabernet 16Limited Series: Santa Lucia Trebbiano/Chardonnay 17Limited Series: Chateau Le Grand Verdus Sauv. Blanc 18Limited Series Earlier Selections 19For Members Only 20Gifts & More 21Recipe: Crisp Roast Pork 22Recipe: Broiled Salmon Steaks 22Tasting Notes 23The Cork Board 24

I N S I D E T H E T A S T I N G R O O M T H I S M O N T H

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APRIL 2013

MG….this is so fun.First, I cannot believehow much wine there

is out there. I am getting asurplus of calls, samples,appointments and requestsfrom everyone regardingwines from all price rangesand varietals. Of course, it ismy obligation to samplethem all and compile thenecessary commendationsfor my fellow patrons. Twoyears ago, the growers were predicting a shortage andhype but that has yet tohappen…so enjoy greatwines at great prices.

Paul KalemkiarianOwner/Cellarmaster

O

was validated last week, at least in a smallslice of my life. Certainly, for any of us to findcomplete validation of our existence cannotbe known until we are gone. But along the

way, little snips of life can keep us going becausewe feel like something is right about what we doand believe. My validation is wine related.

I was asked to entertain some young professionals in a short on-site wine tasting with a brief discussion about what WOMC doesand how it was formed. You see, these youngprofessionals are all successful (businesses anyway) in their domain. I like to think we aresuccessful in our mission at WOMC as well (evidenced by all you “raving fan” members).Happily, I received these folks and to be immediately disappointed in their respect towardme and the company. One guy was on his phonetexting the entire visit, and while on the tour, noone asked any questions about, well, anything! I opened ten wines for these folks and thosewere met with virtually not even fake enthusiasm. I work hard to make these wineshappen and I want people to enjoy what I do. So where was my validation? I realized that wineis for sharing and camaraderie, for discussion and conversation; it is not for attempted snobbery or “one up-manship”. It was clear tome that we are doing it right and for that I appreciate your patronage.

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

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graduate research in Enology at UC Davis, and has presented his works atthe American Society ofEnology and Viticulture’sannual meeting. His resumeis highlighted with viticultureexperience working for Galloof Sonoma, and enologyexperience working for NapaValley wineries includingHeitz and Cuvaison.

All grapevines arenot created equal.Some of them aremore resistant tocertain diseases.Some can standhotter or coolerweather duringthe g rowing season and somecan make thesame quality of

wine with larger yields thanothers. Whew! We had noidea how important this wasuntil Reed explained the difference. Of course, youdon’t need the differenceexplained. One taste will do it.

The 2011 harvest producedsmall, dark berries loadedwith ripe, immense aromasand flavors. Characterized by scents of black currant,licorice, and graphite, thiswine fills the mouth withblackberry, toasty vanilla,and mocha flavors that justwon’t quit.

his Cabernet wasgrown and crushedin Chile but blended

and bottled in Napa Valley,California, similar to theMarch selection, The ARK.Again, it was produced byReed Renaudin’s expertwinemaking team. It is certainly a rare occurrencebut in many ways makessense. While Chile has comea long way in the wine business, theyhave a way to goto compete withthe expertise andtechnology ofCalifornia.

This Cabernet is ablend of threevineyards locatedin the CachapoalValley of CentralChile. The blocks range inage from 25-50 years oldand use drip irrigation. Yieldstend to be low, roughly 1.5 tons an acre. Carefulvineyard management ispracticed to ensure that thegrapes ripen slowly andexpress fresh fruit flavors.

Reed is one of the “go to”winemakers in Napa. Hefounded Amicus & X Winery in 2001, and hashelped guide this start upcompany’s rapid growth.Reed has an MBA from CalPoly San Luis Obispo and aBS from UC Davis. He hasalso completed extensive

T

ITEM #: 413R1

Retail Price: $15.99/each

Member Price: $10.98/each

Reorder Price: $7.99/each

50% Discount

CabernetSauvignon(Kab air NAY

Soe ving YAHN)

2011

Pig & PokeValle Central, Chile

Color:Deep magenta

Nose:Blackberry, black

cherry and chocolate

Palate:Blackberry, toastyvanilla and mocha

Finish:Very berry with cherry

and vanilla

Drink now through 2015

WOMC RATING94 Points

Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

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shared the same farming experience. They have beenhappily married for over 50years with the addition oftheir two sons, Frank andBill, along with their fourgrandchildren.

Today, Ballentine owns 100acres of vines spread amongthe Crystal Springs Vineyardat the base of HowellMountain in Napa Valley.After selling their grapes formany years to wineries like

Ravenswood,Caymus andMondavi; Vanand Bet tydec ided torev i ve theB a l l e n t i n ebrand that Vanand his dadworked at formany years.

They built a winery behind their 100-year-oldfarmhouse and revived the original bonded winery number 3595 which was issued to his father, JohnBallentine, in 1933 after theprohibition ended.

Bal lent ine V ineyards p roduces red w ines , perfectly suited to theNorthern Napa Valley climate and vineyards. Theirproduction is less than10,000 cases of Zinfandel,Syrah, and Merlot and with afuture release of CabernetSauvignon, Petite Sirah andCabernet Franc. Chenin Blancis almost non-existent here,but is such a favorite that theBallantine’s can’t give it up.It is a lovely crisp offeringthat would enhance lightpasta dishes and salads.

etty Valent ine’sgrandfather, LiberoPocai, arrived in

California in 1884 at the age of 22. He left the smallcity of Lucca, Italy to makehis fortune, with dreams of returning home. He fortunately, met MariaCristofani and soon theymarried. Maria was also the daughter of an Italianimmigrant family. Theyplanned to stay in SanFrancisco, while Libero foundwork in thewood and coalbusiness. ButMaria’s healthsuffered andthe fami l y doc to r to ldLibero to gether to the country. OnApril 18, 1906,the catastrophic earthquakeof San Francisco encouragedthem to make their way tothe upper end of NapaValley, near Calistoga. Liberoknew he was destined toplant a vineyard, make wine, and raise a family. He had the foresight or the unbelievable luck to purchase 60 acres of the bestpossible vineyard land in the Napa Valley. The earlydeed to the land recordedthat payment was made ingold coins.

Their daughter Betty metVan Valentine when theywere children. Betty was in apiano recital at the TuckerFarm Center and she stillremembers catching Van’sglances. They were bothfrom Napa Valley, both winery kids and attendeddifferent schools but

B

ITEM #: 413W1




56% Discount

Chenin Blanc(Shenin Blonk)

2010

BallentineNapa Valley, California

Color:Pale

Nose:Melon and citrus

Palate:Fresh melon, pear

and lime

Finish:Clean, crisp and citrusy

Drink nowthrough 2015


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ITEM #: 413R2




38% Discount

CabernetSauvignon(Kab air NAY

Soe ving YAHN)

2011

BacanCentral, Chile

Color:Deep magenta

Nose:Blackberry, black

cherry and chocolate

Palate:Cherry with hints of

earth and spice

Finish:Very berry with

cherry and vanilla



Aguirre himself planted thefirst vines. The vines mostlikely came from establishedSpanish vineyards planted inPeru which included the"common black grape", orMission, as it was knownwhen Hernán Cortés broughtit to Mexico in 1520. Thisgrape variety would becomethe ancestor of the widely planted Pais grape thatwould be the most Chileangrape till the 21st century.

J e su i t p r i e s t s cultivated theseearly vineyards,using the wine forthe celebration ofthe Eucharist. Bythe late 16th century, Frenchand Italian settlersbrought their own indigenousgrapes and thusMerlot was rebornin Chile.

The magnificent diversity ofterroirs with ideal growingconditions clearly influencedby coastal winds, allow their winemaking team toproduce wines that showdepth and character with thefresh fruit flavors that reflectthe demands of the newworld. This is nothing lessthan a perfect CabernetSauvignon that tastes like a high end California offering until you look at the price. Lovely blackberryand spice notes would match a chateaubriand witha black pepper cognac saucelovingly.

onsidered one offastest growthcompanies in the

wine category, ErrazurizOvalle Vineyards has developed a wine exportbusiness of over 700,000cases which continues toincrease every year. Theircustomers are located in the more developed anddemanding markets ofEurope, The United Kingdom,Asia, and North and SouthAmerica. ErrazurizOvalle VineyardsS.A. has played animportant role inthe industry dueto their creativeways of operatingwithin their ownmarket s and delivering wineso f exce l l en t q u a l i t y a t competitive pricesaround the globe.

Founded in 1992, ErrazurizOvalle Vineyards S.A., is the largest family-ownedcompany of vineyards andwineries in Chile with almost7,000 acres under plant.Each acre is carefully maintained and irrigated bydrip. They are located in theimportant viticultural valleysof Colchagua and Lontué incentral Chile.

European Vitis Vinifera vineswere brought to Chile bySpanish conquistadors andmissionaries in the 16th century, around 1554. Locallegend states that the conquistador Francisco de

C

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ITEM #: 413W2




46% Discount

Sauvignon Blanc(SOE ving yahn Blonk)

2012

GeneseoPaso Robles, California

Color:Straw

Nose:Green apple, tropicalfruit and fresh citrus

Palate:Crisp acidity with minerals

Finish:Fresh citrus and

lemongrass

Drink now through 2016


All of these elements together result in rich, fully-ripened grapes, idealfor producing lively and crispSauvignon Blanc.

The grapes are hand-harvested into small bins inthe cool of the morning andare completed with a shorttrip to the winery. Then theytransfer the whole clusters of grapes into the waitingcrusher where they press the

juice and let it settle in thecold for 48hours . Onethird of thejuice then goesinto barrels andthe remainingjuice goes intostainless steel

barrels. After fermentation,all of the wine is transferredto tanks where the wineages for four months. Prior tobottling, the wine receives afinal racking, where theblend is assembled and thewine is prepared for bottling.

This selection is lively andcrisp, featuring a straw colorand aromas reminiscentfresh citrus, tropical fruit andgreen apple. The wine isrefreshingly dry, medium-bodied with a balanced crisp acidity, wrapped in amineral core. Enjoy chilled or by itself. Goes great withgoat cheese, sushi, shellfishpasta or curry dishes.

aso Robles is one ofthe rising stars in thewine world. The

location is nestled in a valleyjust far enough inland fromthe Pacific Ocean to buildheat but still close enough to enjoy the nightly coolingof maritime breezes. It is ideally situated for world-class viticulture. Wines havebeen made with Paso Roblesgrapes since the early1790’s, and the striking fruitof this regioncontinues tos a t i s f yd e m a n d i n g pallets.

S o u r c e d primarily fromv i n e y a r d s located in theGeneseo area, which is located at the heart of thePaso Robles AVA, this winedemonstrates how PasoRobles vineyards producewhite varietals of class anddistinction. Brisk morningsthat slowly warm to toastyafternoons followed byabrupt cool marine eveningbreezes that spill over theSanta Lucia’s to make ourSauvignon Blanc vines feel athome. Rooted in stony fineloamy and clay soils formedin alluvium on river terraces,these vines are anywherefrom 15 to 20 years old.These vineyards yielded onlyfour tons of fruit per acre,boosting concentration inthese already mature vines.

P

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Reg Reorder CaseItem # Wine Name Retail Price Price Price

213R1 - Touriga, 2011. Encostas $12.99 $7.99 $95.88“Intense berry, cherry, cinnamon and soft tannins”

213R2 - Merlot, 2009. Twin Bells $12.99 $7.99 $95.88“Very clean cranberry and soft tannins”

*Featured in the California Wine Series

213W1 - Pinot Grigio, 2011. Sycamore Lane $11.99 $6.99 $83.88“Lovely pear nuance with honeysuckle”

213W2 - Sauvignon Blanc, 2009. $11.99 $6.99 $83.88Open Range “Fresh herbs and lime”

313R1 - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. $18.99 $8.99 $107.88Los Andes“Cherry with hints of earth and spice”

313R2 - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. The ARK $15.99 $7.99 $95.88“Toasty vanilla with mocha flavors”


313W1 - Pinot Grigio, 2012. Viamora $12.99 $6.99 $83.88“Lovely pear nuance with honeysuckle”

313W2 - Chenin Blanc, 2010. MAN Vintners $14.99 $6.99 $83.88“Fresh melon, pear and lime”

413R1 - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. $15.99 $7.99 $95.88Pig & Poke “Blackberry, toasty vanilla and mocha”


413R2 - Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. Bacan $12.99 $7.99 $95.88“Cherry with hints of earth and spice”

413W1 - Chenin Blanc, 2010. Ballentine $15.99 $6.99 $83.88“Fresh melon, pear and lime”

413W2 - Sauvignon Blanc, 2012. Geneseo $12.99 $6.99 $83.88“Crisp acidity with minerals”

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:

April 2011:Pinot Noir, 2009. Cate. Still awesome.Chardonnay, 2010. Sol de Chile. Best now.Nero d’Avola, 2009. Stemmari. Drink or hold.Sauvignon Blanc, 2010. Monte Blanco. Perfect.

April 2012:Tempranillo, 2010. Peromato. Still great.Chardonnay, 2009. Tasi. Perfect now.Merlot, 2009. Tasi. Drink or hold.Buzz Cut, 2008. ShooFly. At its best.

Vintners Series:

April 2011:Shiraz/Merlot, 2009. H.M.S. Rattlesnake. Still great.Grenache Blanc, 2009. Chateau Mas Neuf. Drink.Sangiovese, 2007. Mil Piedras. Drink or hold.Verdejo, 2008. Castello de Medina. Drink now.

April 2012:Sangiovese, 2009. Suspicion. Still great.Blanca, 2010. Resso. Best now.Zinfandel, 2009. Pretense. Still great.Vermentino, 2009. Chesebro. Drink up.

Limited Series:

April 2011:Syrah, 2007. Les Caves Roties de Pente. Drink or hold.Chardonnay, 2007. Stephen Ross. Great now.Zinfandel, 2007. Thornton. Perfect.Torrontes, 2010. La Yunta. Drink up.

April 2012:Malbec, 2008. Las Nencias. Drink or hold.Cabernet Sauvingon, 2010. Lange Twins. Drink or hold.Chardonnay, 2010. Lange Twins. At its best.Chardonnay, 2010. Hope Estate. Drink up.

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Working hand in hand with

producers from different

regions, Maxime oversees

all aspects from the

organoleptic quality of the

wine right up to labeling

and packaging. The aim is

to bring out the unique

personality of each wine.

In 1854, the Double family

acquired the Château de

Beaupré, near Aix-en-

P r o v e n c e ,

which at first

they used as

a staging post

for changing

horses hal f

way between

their other

properties in

Marseille and

the Luberon. In 1890, Baron

Emile Double planted the

very first vines around the

château and was soon taking

his wines by horse and

carriage to sell direct to the

wholesalers in Marseille.

Three generations later

Maxime Double, the heir to

this line of enterprising and

innovative wine producers,

has developed the Baron

Maxime brand. Baron

Maxime offers tradition,

elegance and a sense of

modernity.

axime Double and

his team have

developed close

relationships with the most

talented growers. Together

they define the specifications

and procedures necessary to

create a wine faithful to its

origins. As a producer of

their own wines from the

family estate at Château de

Beaupré, Maxime Double

has in depth

knowledge of

the en t i re

process from

p a r c e l

s e l e c t i o n ,

cho i ce o f

varietals and

v i n e y a r d

management to winemaking

and maturing, right up to

bottling and labeling.

With the experience gained

as part of this family of well

reputed winemakers in the

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence

appellation, Maxime Double

has his own range of wines,

and in so doing revealed

himself as an astute selector

of talented producers. He

sources quality wines for

target markets which

express the uniqueness of

their individual ‘terroirs’, or

geographical origins.

M

ITEM #: V413R1




38% Discount

Merlot(Mare LOW)

2011

Baron deMaxime

France

Color:Deep ruby

Nose:Fresh fruit, lively

and frank

Palate:Warm fruit, balanced

and rich acidity

Finish:Full of charm and lingering spices



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create a delicious, approach-

able, thoroughly enjoyable

wine that will please a wide

range of palates.

All of the grapes by Reposo

are grown on their own

estates. This assures that the

quality of their wines can be

consistent from year to year.

This unique blend combines

two very distinctive grapes,

which, on the surface

w o u l d n ’ t

n o r m a l l y

sound l ike

they should

go together.

But , if you

think about

it, and who

w o u l d n ’ t ,

there are as

much similarities as there

are differences.

Gewurz t ramine r i s a

fragrant, imposing grape

with myriad flavors including

lycee nut and anise.

Moscatel is usually used to

make a fortified wine in

Portugal because of its

intense flavors. In the blend,

the Moscatel adds strength

in direction along with a

rather imposing middle

palate. This is a truly inspired

pairing and one that we

think would match with a

lot of challenging foods

from chicken Kiev to a

crab and avocado salad or

fried oysters.

eposo is part of the

Pago Casa Gran, a

family run winery

in one of Spain's most

interesting and evolving

wine regions, Valencia. While

wine has been made here

for thousands of years, it is

still a frontier in many

ways. A growing number of

entrepreneurs have come to

the region recently, and the

Laso Gablis family was one

of the first

to focus on

creating high-

quality wines

in the region.

After decades

of hard work,

they created

Pago Gran

Casa in 2006

with 100 acres of vines in

Mogente, which is just south

west of the city of Valencia.

All of their grapes are

organically grown on their

estate, and most are from

very old, head trained

vines. They believe in

blending their grapes in

order to achieve the best

representation of their land,

and unusually, each variety

is fermented by its own

native yeast prior to

blending. Mediterranean

varieties Garnacha Tintorera,

Syrah and Mourvedre are

blended with a small

percentage of Merlot to

R

ITEM #: V413W1




40% Discount

Gewurztraminer/Moscatel

(Geh VERTZ traminerMOSK ka tel)

2008

ReposoValencia, Spain

Color:Golden

Nose:Musk oil andhoneysuckle

Palate:Asian pear and honeysuckle

Finish:Clean and crisp



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shipped bulk wine and casegoods to more than 30 countries around the world.At the time of the company'ssale in 2004, Golden StateVintners was the fifth largestwinery in the US with sales over $100 million and the leading custom wine producer serving the industry. O'Neill is a graduate from the Universityof the Pacific School ofBusiness.

W i n em a k e r ,M a r kR a sm u s s e n ,joined O'Neillafter 12 yearswith GoldenState Vintners.He began hisw i n ema k i n gcareer in 1977

with Pacific Land andViticulture and later movedto Sebastiani in 1982, wherehe became Director ofWinemaking. He holds anundergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and a graduate degree in FoodScience/Enology from FresnoState University.

Pure, honest and unadorned,this Gravelly Ford Petite Sirahis a genuine reflection of the vineyard. From its richearthiness to its bold, robustflavors, this wine speaksauthentically of the land, thegrapes and the passion forthe craft and tradition of artisan winemaking. Enjoywith full-flavored heartymeats, stews and soupspaired with rustic bread.

ravelly Ford Ranchis approximately960 acres adjoining

the San Joaquin River inMadera County, Fresno. It isowned by O'Neill Vintners,which was founded in 2004by Jeff O'Neill, former CEO ofGolden State Vintners and athird generation member of a California winemakingfamily with roots dating back to 1934. From grapesupply through wine processing to bottling services, O'Neillis recognized asthe preferredo u t s o u r c i n gpartner formany of theworld's leadingb e v e r a g e a l c o h o l c o m p a n i e sand brand owners. Today,O'Neill Vintners has grown to become the 8th largestU.S. winery and has earned a reputation as one of the premier custom wine producers in California.

Prior to founding O'NeillVintners & Distillers, JeffO'Neill was President andChief Executive Officer ofGolden State Vintners (GSV)from 1986 to 2004. Underhis direction, GSV expandedfrom a single winery locationin the Central Valley into avertically-integrated grower,producer and bottler of wineand wine-related productsthroughout California. GSVoperated seven productionfacilities across the state,owned over 10,000 acres of premier vineyards and

G

ITEM #: V413R2




35% Discount

Petite Sirah(Peh TEET See RAH)

2010

Gravelly FordCentral Valley, California

Color:Very dense purple

Nose:Boysenberry,

blackberry and earth

Palate:Leather and earthmixed with lots

of berries

Finish:Concentrated and

tannic with blackberry fruit



Featured in theCALIFORNIA WINE SERIES

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viticulture teams. As fifthgeneration winegrowersthey are looking forward toworking with the sixth!

For five generations the Langfamily has been growingsustainable winegrapes inthe Lodi Appellation and in2006 opened a winery toshowcase their passion forgrowing grapes becausegreat wine starts in the vineyard.

Born in Lodi,Kel ly Brakles p e n t h i s c o l l e g e s u m m e r s working forB r a d a n dRandy’s father.H e j o i n e d

LangeTwins after graduatingfrom Fresno State Universitywith a degree in PlantScience and an emphasis on viticulture. He has been working for LangeTwins for 30 years managingthe vineyard management business alongside Brad and Randy.

The aroma comes across richand creamy with tropicalfruit blended with greenapple notes. On the palatethe flavor mimics the aromawith vibrant white peachand fresh herbs. The winerounds out with subduedvanilla oak, a smooth texture and crisp finish. Trywith scallops in a lobsterbutter sauce.

uring the 1870’sJohann and MariaLange settled in

Lodi and began a family farm growing non-irrigatedwatermelons with their son,Albert. The farm grew yearafter year and by 1916 theyhad their family’s first grape-ranch. It was on thisranch where Albert’s son,Harold, was born in 1920.Just like his father, it wasnatural for Harold to workwith Albert togain experiencein order to carryon the family’sa g r i c u l t u r a lroots.

T o d a y t h e operation is run by Harold’stwin sons, Randall and Bradand their wives, Charleneand Susan. They have continued the tradition ofworking the vineyards and in1974 decided to farm ontheir own. It was an excitingtime for them because asthey grew their business,their family grew as well.

As the kids grew up on the River Ranch they developed an appreciationfor winegrowing by workingsummers and harvested withthem. After college theyeach decided to come backto the family farm, so theytook the next step and built awinery in 2006. Today theyall have unique responsibili-ties within the winery and

D

ITEM #: V413W2




54% Discount

Sauvignon Blanc(Soe ving YAHN Blonk)

2010

Lange TwinsLodi, California

Color:Pale gold

Nose:Tropical fruit blendedwith green apple

Palate:White peach and herbs

Finish:Vanilla oak with

crisp finish



Earlier VINTNERS SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!



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V213R1 - Sangiovese, 2010. Homestead $24.99 $12.99 $155.88“Full and flavorful”


V213W1 - Viognier, 2010. Three Coins $18.99 $11.99 $143.88“Asian pear and lychee”

V213R2 - Merlot, 2010. Corinto Selection $18.99 $12.99 $155.88“Very clean cranberry and soft tannins”

V213W2 - Chardonnay, 2011. Elsa Bianchi $16.99 $11.99 $143.88“Slight with a hint of spice”

V313R1 - Merlot, 2011. Vina Sutil $23.99 $12.99 $155.88“Very clean cranberry and soft tannins

V313W1 - Torrantes, 2010. Zuccardi $22.99 $15.99 $143.88“Asian pear and honeysuckle”

V313R2 - Grenache/Syrah, 2010. $23.99 $12.99 $155.88Tete Du Rhone“Pure plum and spice”

V313W2 - Sauvignon Blanc, 2010. $19.99 $11.99 $143.88Helderberg “Pure fruit and minerals”

V413R1 - Merlot, 2011. Baron de Maxime $20.99 $12.99 $155.88“Warm fruit, balanced and rich acidity”

V413W1 - Gewurztraminer/Moscatel, 2008. $19.99 $11.99 $143.88Reposo “Asian pear and honeysuckle”

V413R2 - Petite Sirah, 2010. Gravelly Ford $19.99 $12.99 $155.88“Leather and earth mixed with lots of berries”


V413W2 - Sauvignon Blanc, 2010. $25.99 $11.99 $143.88Lange Twins “White peach and herbs”


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protecting water quality andother eco-friendly activities.They were also among thefirst to use technologicaladvances ranging from overhead irrigation for frostcontrol to sophisticatedweathe r s ta t i ons to carefully monitoring growingcondit ions and insect population dynamics. Theyare consistently among thefirst to embrace change, and

the last to shyaway from achallenge.

W i n em a k e r ,Chris Cameron,is an Inter-n a t i o n a l w i n e m a k e rwith a dynamiccareer in the

wine industry that spansover 30 vintages. He has acommitted and passionate approach to allaspects of winemaking. Inaddition, Chris has significantcrush and winemaking experience in Australia, Italy,France and Turkey. Chris’sphilosophical approach towinemaking can best bedescribed as minimalistintervention. He feels thattruly great wines are inherently dependent on the vineyard and the real artof winemaking is the abilityto translate what is on thevine to the bottle. This selection is typical of hisstyle offering warm fruitcomponents and excellentstructure to stand up to anything f rom chicken cacciatore to pork tenderloin.

roken Earth, PasoRobles’ newest andfastest growing

winery, produces uniquewines that are estate grown,harvested and bottled inPaso Robles. Rancho TierraRejada, which is Spanish for“Land of worked earth” andis the original name of the2,500 acre Paso Roblesranch, is now home to thevineyards of Broken EarthWinery. BrokenEarth Wineryr e m a i n s committed tos u s t a i n a b l eideals, and tocontinuing tobolster theh i gh - qua l i t yreputation ofPaso Robleswines. Broken Earth Winery’sphilosophy is to utilize selec-tive, small winemaking prac-tices on a bigger scale anddeliver food-friendly wineswith true varietal definition.

In 1973, the vineyard wasestablished as one of thefirst large-scale producers in the area with 520 acresplanted to grapevines withpremium wine grapes,i n c l u d i n g : C a b e r n e tSauvignon, Merlot, Syrah,Chardonnay and other popular varietals. In 2012,new vineyards were plantedwith plans to expand thevineyard by another 200acres. The vineyard team hasremained innovative andadaptable to sustainablefarming techniques and practices - including

B

ITEM #: L413R1




33% Discount

Tempranillo(Temp rah NEEYO)

2010

Broken EarthPaso Robles, California

Color:Light magenta

Nose:Earth, licorice and

black cherry

Palate:Warm fruit, ripe berry

and plum

Finish:Engaging spice with

plummy fruit



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innovative and adaptable to sustainable farming techniques and practicesincluding protecting waterquality and other eco-friendly activities. They werealso among the first to usetechnological advances ranging from overhead irrigation for frost control to sophisticated weatherstations to carefully monitorgrowing conditions andinsect population dynamics.

T h e y a r e co n s i s t e n t l yamong the firstto embracechange, andthe last to shyaway from achallenge.

The bouquet isa perfumed

combination of ripe berries,violets and cedar. Complexand velvety in texture, withthe perfect balance of acidand tannin. The palate iswonderfully integrated withfine ripe tannin and clean,natural acidity. Look for redberry flavors, with a touch ofearth and spice. Its mediumbody, balanced tannins, acidity and fruit makeTempranillo an excellentfood wine. Pair with comfort-food menus from braisedmeats to flavorful risottos.Sourced entirely from theirown estate vineyards in Paso Robles on the CentralCoast of California. Perfectwith leg of lamb swathed inrosemary and mustard.

his Bordeaux styleblend is also craftedby Broken Earth. It

offers ripe fruit with a luxurious texture. The components of this wineeach offer their best assetsand showcase beautifullytogether. The Merlot basecreates the foundation for its medium body that lendsitself nicely to a multitude of food pairings. TheCabernet Sauvignon bringsthe richness ofsuch dark fruitsas blackberriesand b lue -berries. Divedeeper into theu n e n d i n g layers of thiswine and you’llfind the PetitVerdot offers you the velvetsoft tannins you’re lookingfor. Beyond that, you’llnotice the Petite Sirah,though only a small percentage of this wine isthe powerhouse that givesthis blend its gorgeous garnet color and long lasting finish.

In 1973 the vineyard wasestablished as one of thefirst large-scale producers in the area with 520 acresplanted to grapevines with premium wine grapes including CabernetSauvignon, Merlot, Syrah,Chardonnay and other popu-lar varieties. In 2012 newvineyards were planted withplans to expand the vineyardby another 200 acres. Thevineyard team has remained

T

ITEM #: L413R2




40% Discount

Petit Verdot/CabernetSauvignon

(Peh TEET Vare Doh Kabair NAY Soe ving YAHN)

2010

QuadrantPaso Robles, California

Color:Dark purple

Nose:Ripe berries, violets

and cedar

Palate:Ripe berry and spice

Finish:Concentrated, tannicwith plummy fruit



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fermented at 45 degrees F.When fermentation is complete the wine is storedunderground in tanks at aconsistent low temperaturebefore bottling.

For years, Trebbiano wasused in red Chianti to addacidity to the wine becausethe red grapes became soripe that the acid levels weretoo low to make a balancedwine. It was the law. Grape

g r o w i n g p r a c t i c e sevolved towhere the redgrapes couldbe producedw i t h t h e proper acidityso the lawswere changedand the winec o u l d b ecalled Chianti

without the use of Trebbiano. This left a lot ofTrebbiano with no home, so enterprising operationslike Castellani learned tomake terrific wine on its ownand with careful blendinglike this one.

Our selection exhibits abright color with green hues.The sweet tropical notes ofpineapple and banana arecomplemented by floral fragrances of acacia andherbs. Dry and full of character with a distinctacidity on the palate, this isan ideal match with chickensalad, fish courses and appetizers. Serve chilled.

anta Lucia is part ofthe Castellani wineemp i re . I t was

established in Montecalvoliat the end of the 19th cen tu ry when A l f redCastellani, a long-standingwine grower, decided to startbottling and selling his wine.In 1903 the business wasofficially registered at theChamber of Commerce inPisa. Since then the familyhas been exporting winesfrom Tuscany.The companyhas evolvedo v e r t h edecades, butthe philosophyof their workhas remainedthe same "Thequality of thewine begins inthe vineyard"A mixed group of workers here consists of several generations, where theexperience of the olderemployees comes alive with the vitality and spirit of the young.

Santa Lucia Toscana White is made with TrebbianoToscano and Chardonnaygrapes. The two varietiesblend well to give birth to apleasant Mediterraneanwhite wine with great aromatic complexity. Thehand-picked grapes are soft-crushed and processedat low temperatures.Clarification is at a controlledtemperature. The clean product is filtered and

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ITEM #: L413W3




39% Discount

Trebbiano/Chardonnay(Treb ee AHNO Shar doe NAY)

2011

Santa LuciaTuscany, Italy

Color:Bright color with

green hues

Nose:Floral fragrance

Palate:Tropical notes,

pineapple and banana

Finish:Very dry with a touchof quince and walnuts



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the west of the village ofSoussac in the heart of theEntre-Deux-Mers. 200 acrescomprise the estate of which150 are planted with red and 40 with white varieties.The soil is mostly clay and limestone and the average age of the vines are between 20 and 25 years old.

This white is the classicblend of 55% Sauvignon

B lanc , 40%Semillon and5% Mucadelle.I t w o r k s perfectly witht h e s o i l s available andas we l l i tshould sinceThey’ve beenpracticing fornearly 500

years. It’s interesting to notethat this basic blend hasbeen in place for centuries.The main reason for this isthat it works and worksbeautifully. We think there’s a lesson here thatmaybe a few other areas in the world should learn.

This lovely offering starts out as though it will be bigger than it ends up. The Sauvignon Blanc is obvious in the nose, buttaste bursts of the softeningeffects of the Semillon andMuscadelle. A lively matchfor muscles in a garlic andwhite wine broth.

hateau Le Grand verdus is located in the heart of a

preserved hilly landscape, inthe AOC Bordeaux Superieur,between Medoc, Grave andSaint Emilion at the gatewayto the Entre-Deux-Mersregion. Chateau Le GrandVerdus has some of the highest v ineyards inBordeaux . The grapesreceive the full benefits ofthe Atlantic breeze allowinggrowing withminimal use ofchemicals.

F o r f o u r gene ra t i onsthe Le Grix dela Salle Familyhas been firedup by the pass ion o fwine making.Thomas the current ownerfound the balance betweenthe natural element of the terroir and his savoirfaire to elaborate a well-balanced wine.

Entre Deux Mers literallymeans “between two seas”but it is not exactly betweentwo seas. It is actuallybetween two r i ve r s :Dordogne and Garonne.These rivers are the maintributaries of the BordeauxRiver and divide the regionbetween what is called the Left Bank and the Right Bank.

The vineyards are located onsouth facing slopes just to

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ITEM #: L413W4




39% Discount

Sauvignon Blanc(Soe ving YAHN Blonk)

2010

Chateau LeGrand Verdus

Entres deux Mers, France

Color:Very pale

Nose:Fresh apple

Palate:Slight with a hint

of spice

Finish:Apple and vanilla



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Earlier LIMITED SERIES favorites at REORDER prices!


L213R1 - Tempranillo, 2011. Mureda $22.99 $16.99 $203.88“Very clean, grapey, and cherry with soft tannins”

L213R2 - Cabernet Franc/ $21.99 $15.99 $191.88Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011. Crusted Pie“Very clean cranberry and soft tannins”

L213W3 - Grillo, 2010. Feudo d'Elimi $22.99 $14.99 $179.88“Clean and slightly spicy”

L213W4 - Vermentino/Chardonnay, 2011. $22.99 $13.99 $167.88Papillon “Soft engaging apple and quince with swatches of lime”

L313R1 - Syrah, 2007. Lost Canyon $30.99 $16.99 $203.88“Earthy and gamey with berry and cherry”


L313R2 - Roots Red, 2008. Jus Soli $21.99 $16.99 $203.88“Earthy and gamey with strawberry, coconut and cherry”

L313W3 - Verdejo, 2011. Baluarte $20.99 $12.99 $155.88“Lovely peach, lemon peel and nectarine”

L313W4 - Pinot Blanc, 2011. Konzelmann $20.99 $13.99 $167.88“Very clean pear and a silky texture”

L413R1 - Tempranillo, 2010. Broken Earth $23.99 $15.99 $191.88“Warm fruit, ripe berry and plum”

L413R2 - Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauv., 2010. $24.99 $14.99 $179.88Quadrant “Ripe berry and spice”

L413W3 - Trebbiano/Chardonnay, 2011. $22.99 $13.99 $167.88Santa Lucia “Tropical notes of pineapple and banana”

L413W4 - Sauvignon Blanc, 2010. $22.99 $13.99 $167.88Cht Le Grand Verdus “Slight with a hint of spice”

MEM

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Q

A. It is encouraging to hear that you are attending wine tastings. It is time to 'mellow out about malo.' Malo is short for malolactic fermentation, which is the conversion of the strong, harsh malicacid (which is normally present in new wine and apples) into theweaker lactic acid and carbon dioxide. Lactic acid is the acid of milk.This transformation makes the wine less harsh, less tart, and moresupple. It can also add flavor and complexity to both red and whitewines and eliminates the chance of the fermentation occurringafter the wine has been bottled. This result would be a wine thatis gassy and cloudy. The process is not at all related to alcoholicfermentation. Malo almost always happens after alcoholic fermentation, which is why it is sometimes called a 'secondaryfermentation'. Mastery of this fermentation process was one ofthe great developments in winemaking in France and the worldin the 20th century. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturallywhen the temperatures become warmer in the spring. There can,however be too much or not enough malo which means and acontrol system is the key to perfecting the wines.

Chardonnay has a great affinity for malolactic fermentation, creating soft, creamy almost buttery textures. Chenin Blanc,Riesling and Gewurtztraminer show their true colors with thefresh fruit acidity that makes them so great tasting. A wine thatis bottled and meant to be drunk immediately would not need malo. Most red wines naturally go through malolactic fermentation. It is the white wines, generally Chardonnay, that are monitored and stylized. It all boils down to the winemaker's discretion and the style of wine she/he wishes to produce. It is fun to buy several different styles and seewhich ones suit your tastes and recipes. So have fun and see what you prefer.

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

“At a recent wine tasting we kept hearing the phrase 'Malo' or 'It's not 100% malo', or 'There is no malo'. What does this mysterious phrase mean?”

~ M.Z., Milwaukee, WI.

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 .

Gifts & MoreGIFTS &

MORE

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: $142.99 (plus applicable state taxes)6 Months: $209.99 (plus applicable state taxes)12 Months: $408.99 (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

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

Recipes

22

Preparation:

Preparation:

Ingredients:1⁄2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 4 tbsp.2 large yellow onions4 medium tomatoes16 cloves garlic, smashed10 sprigs each of fresh thyme and oregano,plus 1⁄2 tbsp. each of fresh thyme and fresh oregano, roughly chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper4 10-oz. salmon steaks4 thin slices of lemon2 tbsp. fresh tarragon2 tbsp. Pernod

Broiled Salmon Steaks with Tomatoes, Onions, and Tarragon

Crisp Roast Pork Ingredients:2 tbsp. cumin seeds1 tbsp. black peppercorns2 tbsp. dried oregano1⁄4 tsp. cayenne12 cloves garlicKosher salt, to taste1 bone-in skin-on pork picnic shoulder (about 8 lbs.)

1 cup fresh orange juice1⁄2 cup fresh lime juice2 tbsp. olive oil

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TASTIN

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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: 344 • rejected: 258 • approved...

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