CLASSIC CLUB
Red 1- 2016 Chateau Dubard Bel-Air, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
The Bel-Air vineyard, owned by the Dubard family of Bergerac, is located in Puisseguin Saint Émilion (one of the principal red wine areas of Bordeaux) where the soils can be distinguished by their high limestone content (limestone is a big deal). The surrounding areas of Lussac and Puisseguin produce wines that are virtually impossible to tell apart from Saint Émilion proper and so often provide exceptional value for the money.
The label was designed by the Dubard family and is a homage to the “Sacred Heart’s Medallion”- present at the church at Puisseguin. To it they added Puisseguin’s motto- “Surgam et Ibo” (“I will stand up and go”).
This “Right Bank” wine is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from vines of an average age of 26 years old. It was aged 12-18 months in French oak barrels. A charming wine, full of ripe plum and blueberry fruit, supported by toasty oak. The palate is ample, with firm tannins giving great structure. Food Pairing: Rib-eye grilled steaks, rotisserie chicken, cheddar and other mature cheeses.
Red 2- 2018 Josep Grau Viticultor ‘L'Efecte Volador’, Montsant, Spain
Surrounding the region of Priorat (not too far from Barcelona) on all sides, The region of Montsant shares much in common with its neighbor (which produces, arguably, some of the best wines in Spain). Though its soils contain less schist than that of Priorat, its old Garnacha and Carinena (Carignan) vineyards produce wines of similar intensity and character.
The Josep Grau winery is a family project located in the municipality of Marçà where all work is done by hand, from pruning to harvest. Viticulture is organic, free of herbicides and pesticides. Their main objective is to bring the fruit of the vine to the bottle with all its natural characteristics using minimum levels of sulfur, fermentations are performed in cement tanks.
L’Efecte Volador soars with aromas of red berries and macerated cherries, a thrilling expression of 80% Garnacha and 20% Samsó (Carinena) that personifies its name, "The feeling of flying”. The fruit pops with structure on a lively and fresh mouthfeel, with subtle tannin and nuances of rosemary, violets, and tar.< Food Pairing: This is a fun and easy-going red and can pair with many dishes. Try it with sausages, peppers, and onions… on a pizza perhaps.
White 1- 2019 Casa Monte Pio ‘Morra o Conto’ Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain
Casa Monte Pio was founded in 1979 by Jose María Martinez; now his grandson Pablo Martinez carries the family tradition as the owner and winemaker. Pablo’s passion lies in the vineyard – which he realized this after a brief career in accounting. Upon his return to the wine industry, he has dedicated himself to organic viticulture and craft wine production. His vineyards are located within walking distance to their family home, located in the heart of the Val do Salnés in Galicia near the sea, not too far from Santiago de Compostela, the terminus of the Camino de Santiago. This area is often called “Green Spain” for its lush landscapes and Albariño is the most produced white wine of the region.
Grapes are harvested manually. Spontaneous fermentation occurs under controlled temperature in stainless tanks. Aged on the lees for 4 months prior to decanting, filtering and bottling.
This 100% Albariño is bright and clean. Aromas of citrus and salt sea air. Crisp and fresh with a vibrant acidity and distinct minerality. Food Pairing: Fresh fishes and seafoods with rice.
White 2- 2018 Villa Vitas Ribolla Gialla, Friuli, Italy
Villa Vitas is a wine estate in Stassoldo, a charming medieval village in the heart of Friuli. They create high-quality wines from indigenous varietals, such as Ribolla Gialla.
This wine is light-bodied with fresh and floral aromas. The pleasant freshness and fruity notes of green apple are enhanced by its characteristic bright acidity.
Food Pairing: Fish and seafood dishes, try it with linguine with clam sauce.
COLLECTORS CLUB
Red 1- 2015 Chateau Le Chay, Montagne Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
The Earl des Freres Sublett is a cooperative vineyard in Puisseguin Saint Émilion, on the “Right Bank” of Bordeaux. Focus on creating a balance between performance, wine quality, and environmental protection, the vineyard the subject of attention. Each parcel is monitored closely. The winemaker follows the principles of ‘reasoned agriculture’, which we would equate to sustainability. The terroir is composed of silty clay and limestone, plateaus, and hillsides. It is located next to the reputable Chateau Les Laurets owned by Benjamin de Rothschild.
This wine is 100% Merlot. It is big, rich, and powerful with a great balance between ripe fruit and gentle spice on a long-lasting finish. Aromas of blackberry, currants, allspice, and earth fill your glass. Elegant flavors of blackberry, currants, anise, dried cherry, toasted oak, and wet earth with soft tannins.
Food Pairing: Test your skills and make a Beef Wellington, or go with a simple chili con carne or a beef or lamb stew.
Red 2- 2016 Chateau Hostens PIcant, Sainte-Foy Cotes de Bordeaux
In the heart of an outstanding vineyard stretching over 100 acres of rolling hills, on the lands of the Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, Chateau Hostens-Picant practices the ancient traditions of winemaking. With over 30 years working the vineyard as a family, their passion and respect for the earth, and use of grand cru vinification techniques, they produce powerful and elegant wines that are renowned all over the world for their quality and consistency.
This is their signature red, a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc from 15-20-year-old vines. Aged in barrels for 10-12 months. Aromas of plums, black cherry, and red fruits like strawberry and raspberry. The silky attack precedes the fresh and velvety tannic frame. The finale confers to this wine a classic style with lots of freshness and a good length. Its potential for lying down is around fifteen years. Plan to carafe it one or two hours before enjoying it.
Food pairings: Red meats, lamb, duck confit, cheeses.
White- 2018 I Stefanini ‘Monte di Fice’ Soave Superiore Classico, Veneto, Italy
I Stefanini winery, established in 2003, specializes in steel-aged, aromatic white wines that feature the Garganega grape, an indigenous varietal of the Soave region. Owned and operated by the Tessari family. Their wines, in accordance with traditional winemaking techniques of Soave, are not aged in oak barrels, but in carefully lined tanks made of stainless steel.
On the nose, it is complex, with mineral and intense fruity notes of peach and dry apricot. There's also a sweet-spicy sensation of cinnamon and stone perceptions, coming from the tuffaceous soil. Typical of the Garganega are also hints of almond, which continue in the mouth. On the palate, it is fresh, smooth, balanced, and clean. An unusually fine Soave, Monte di Fice has a good structure, a nice minerality, and a long, complex fruity finish.
Food pairing: Best served with more elaborate fish or white meat recipes. Ideal also with egg dishes, vegetable or meat pies and soups.
PINOT CLUB
2018 Deovlet Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County
“Ryan Deovlet is one of the most exciting young winemakers in the Central Coast... His wines, which emerge from some of the top sites in Santa Barbara, are impeccable, pure and wonderfully transparent to site.” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
With winemaking experience all over the world in Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. Working with Stephen Dooley in the Central Coast and David Ramey in Sonoma, Ryan now crafts his own wine brand with grapes sourced from the La Encantada Vineyard, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, and Zotovich Family Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The wine ferments spontaneously and sees around 15 months from a mix of French oak barrels, 25% new. Normally, this is bottled without fining or filtration.
Food pairing: Grilled salmon, duck breast, roasted beets and Portobello mushroom dishes.
2018 Richmond Plains Pinot Noir, New Zealand
Richmond Plains is an organic wine-making pioneer producing New Zealand’s first Certified Organic Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, making organic wine since its inception in 1991 and is Certified Organic by Asure Quality, New Zealand. The soil and vines are fed with biological brews and compost teas. Disease is managed with natural beneficial organisms.
The Koru or unfolding Fern Frond logo on our label in New Zealand Maori mythology symbolizes a new beginning, unfolding life, and growth. Just as each season brings new life to the vineyard and new wines to make, the flavors of previous wines are gently developing and unfolding as they mature.
This Pinot Noir is made in an elegant appealing style which can be enjoyed when young but will also benefit from a little cellaring allowing it to develop more complex characters. Fragrant floral red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry notes lead to a complex nose of earthy savory, and spicy characters. French oak gives a subtle structure to this fruity Pinot Noir with a lovely lingering finish. Organic & Vegan friendly.
Food pairings: Salmon, roast chicken or New Zealand lamb.
ORGANIC CLUB
Red 1- 2019 Domaine Timoine “Les Petites Canailles” Côtes-du-Rhône, France
Domaine Timoine is the project of Christophe Novara, who oversees the Cellier des Chartreux
winery, a cooperative winery, based in the South of France founded 90 years ago. The winemaker is Antoine Gomez. The name “Timoine” is a play on the names of Christophe’s children: Tomas, Timothy, and Antoine.
The grapes are organically farmed from the commune of Pujaut, adjacent to Tavel. Fermented in stainless steel to maintain aroma and freshness, the wines are then left on the skins for 20-25 days of maceration for extraction of color and tannin.
A blend of 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache this wine is voluptuous and decadent in style with overflowing notes of plum and dark fruits, licorice, and violets. Gorgeous on all counts, it’s a shockingly good Côtes du Rhône to drink over the coming 4-6 years. Though it could easily last longer.
Food pairings: red meats, dishes spiced with red peppers, olives, rosemary & sage, and hard cheeses.
Red 2- 2018 Richmond Plains Pinot Noir, New Zealand
Richmond Plains is an organic wine-making pioneer producing New Zealand’s first Certified Organic Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, making organic wine since its inception in 1991 and is Certified Organic by Asure Quality, New Zealand. The soil and vines are fed with biological brews and compost teas. Disease is managed with natural beneficial organisms.
The Koru or unfolding Fern Frond logo on our label in New Zealand Maori mythology symbolizes a new beginning, unfolding life, and growth. Just as each season brings new life to the vineyard and new wines to make, the flavors of previous wines are gently developing and unfolding as they mature.
This Pinot Noir is made in an elegant appealing style which can be enjoyed when young but will also benefit from a little cellaring allowing it to develop more complex characters. Fragrant floral red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry notes lead to a complex nose of earthy savory, and spicy characters. French oak gives a subtle structure to this fruity Pinot Noir with a lovely lingering finish. Organic & Vegan friendly.
Food pairings: Salmon, roast chicken or New Zealand lamb.
White 1- 2019 Casa Monte Pio ‘Morra o Conto’ Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain
Casa Monte Pio was founded in 1979 by Jose María Martinez; now his grandson Pablo Martinez carries the family tradition as the owner and winemaker. Pablo’s passion lies in the vineyard – which he realized this after a brief career in accounting. Upon his return to the wine industry, he has dedicated himself to organic viticulture and craft wine production. His vineyards are located within walking distance to their family home, located in the heart of the Val do Salnés in Galicia near the sea, not too far from Santiago de Compostela, the terminus of the Camino de Santiago. This area is often called “Green Spain” for its lush landscapes and Albariño is the most produced white wine of the region.
Grapes are harvested manually. Spontaneous fermentation occurs under controlled temperature in stainless tanks. Aged on the lees for 4 months prior to decanting, filtering and bottling.
This 100% Albariño is bright and clean. Aromas of citrus and salt sea air. Crisp and fresh with a vibrant acidity and distinct minerality. Food Pairing: Fresh fishes and seafoods with rice.