CLASSIC CLUB
Red 1 – 2019 Westerly Single Vineyard Malbec, Santa Ynez
100% Malbec
A brand new release from Westerly, this Malbec has aromas of dark berries, black plum, eucalyptus, sweet tobacco and a hint of nutmeg. Similar notes on the palate, but put them all in a savory pie crust. Full bodied with medium acidity.
Food pairings: Burgers, meatloaf, Shepherd's Pie and lamb dishes.
Red 2 – 2018 Chacewater Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills
Organically Grown Grapes
91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah
Winemaker Derek Holstein chose grapes from the North Ponderosa Vineyards and aged the wine for 14 months in both American and French oak.
This rich, rustic Zin is packed with strawberry, red cherry, white pepper and laced with smoky vanilla oak. The lush mid-palate is fat with berry characters, finishing with expansive fruit, lingering sweet oak and complex ripeness.
Food pairings: Baby back ribs, smoked brisket, bbq chicken
White 1 – 2022 Berryessa Gap Albariño, Coble Ranch Vineyard, Yolo County
100% Albariño
Yolo County is located in the greater Sacramento area, near the Sierra foothills. The vineyard is fairly new, having been planted in 2017. A varietal originally from Spain, we are happily seeing more and more planted in California. If you enjoy Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño might be your new summer favorite!
Intense and fresh with notes of ripe citrus fruits such as lemon and grapefruit, as well as subtle hints of white flowers and mineral undertones. Crisp and refreshing with high acidity, and a long and persistent finish. A well-balanced and elegant white wine that showcases the typical characteristics of the Albariño grape.
Food pairings: Perfect as an aperitif or to pair with seafood, shellfish, and other light dishes.
White 2 – 2019 Santa Barbara Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore, Marche, Italy
100% Verdicchio
Grown on the hillsides near the Adriatic Sea, this wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks, followed by 12 months in French oak barriques, plus at least 6 months in bottle. Verdicchio is unquestionably one of the most important white grape varieties in Italy and this wine is an impeccable example of the potential of this typical grape of the Marche region.
"Fragrant and inviting nose, delicate wood spice, vanilla, ripe cassis and white pepper spice. Very soft on the palate, full and clear, creamy touch, well-integrated acidity in the background, full-bodied finish." – Falstaff Magazine (92 Points)
Food pairings: Bouillabaisse, Caprese salad, charcuterie, almonds, rich seafood
COLLECTORS CLUB
Red 1 – 2018 Westerly Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa Valley
82% Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Cabernet Franc 5% Malbec 5% Merlot
The 2018 Westerly Cabernet Sauvignon, appellation Napa Valley-Spring Mountain District is a wonderful expression of a classic California wine. On the nose, hints of blackberry, dark chocolate, plum and a touch of French oak are present. To the palate, the wine is balanced, expressive and weighty with full body. Hints of anise, coffee and dried fruit give way to a beautiful textured finish with subtle tannins.
Food Pairing: Beef and lamb dishes - try it with a rib eye steak
Red 2 – 2018 J. McClelland Merlot, Yountville, Napa Valley
89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc
Winemaker Notes: Aged 22 months in French oak and made in the style of the classic and youthful right bank Bordeaux. The aromatics include currants, black plums, bay leaf and allspice. The deep black and red fruit flavors of currant and cherry are accompanied by side notes of white pepper with bay leaf from the nose. Limestone accents convey minerality and carry deep into the palate. The full body, polished structure and excellent balance with complementary ripe tannins result in a long, complex finish.
Food Pairing: Aged cheeses, braised meats and stews
White – 2018 50 Harvests Meritage Blanc, Napa Valley
60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc
A pale golden straw color leads into an intriguing nose of wild honey, white floral and white peach notes. On the palate lemon and subtle herbs accent a stony minerality and nectarine flavors support the firm structure and pleasant mouthfeel. The brightness of the Sauvignon Blanc and continually developing complexity of the Semillon completes the balanced expression of a classic medium full-bodied Bordeaux-style white blend. The overall sense of the palate is one of elegance and grace driven by the urge to enjoy another sip. Expect this Meritage Blanc to age like a red wine for more than a decade. Barrel fermented and aged in specially made French oak barrels for these varietals.
Food Pairing: Scallops, fish, artichokes with savory herbs, asparagus risotto
PINOT CLUB
Pinot 1 – 2018 Thacher Pinot Noir, Tondre's Grapefield Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
100% Pinot Noir
Winemaker notes: In order to create a more complex wine, we decided to source two separate Pinot Noir clones from Tondre’s Grapefield, which would be blended together. Pommard 4 is a classic clone from an old Burgundian selection, is slightly lighter, offering brighter fruit characteristics and a mineral edge. The 777 clone is a more modern clone, with more density, darker fruit and more tannin. The fruit was cold-soaked until fermentation began, naturally and spontaneously. The fruit was basket-pressed after fermentation, and aged in neutral 225L barriques. Native bacteria carried out malolactic fermentation. Only 175 cases produced.
Food Pairings: Grilled salmon, spiced duck, mushroom risotto
Pinot 2 – 2015 Seamus Pinot Noir, Doctor's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
100% Pinot Noir
Winemaker Notes: A beautiful pure expression of the Swan clone of Pinot Noir from the Doctor’s vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Aromas of perfume, floral, black cherry, and crushed flowers fly from the glass. On the palate the wine has clean pure red fruit followed by smooth tannins with well integrated oak notes. Swan is known for its elegance and finesse. The addition of 50% new oak plus the small percentages of the clones 667 and Pommard aid in the tannin structure and mouth feel to complete this beautiful wine.
Food pairings: Salmon, pork, duck and mushroom dishes
ORGANIC CLUB
Red 1 – 2018 Tenuta Anfosso Rossese di Dolceacqua Superiore, Liguria, Italy
Organic
100% Rossese
Tenuta Anfosso, located in the town of Soldano, in dramatically steep slopes tucked into the hills of western Liguria, is a land forgotten in time. The Rossese di Dolceacqua wines here are reminiscent of Côte-Rôtie, with their combination of floral and roasted/bacon fat aromas and silky mid-palate with stoniness on the finish. There is a level of concentration, structure, spice, and minerality that the more fruit-driven Rossese from further east in Liguria does not possess. The vineyards for this wine were originally planted in 1888 by Giacomo Anfosso. Only 1650 cases are produced annually.
Food Pairing: Dishes with olives and cherry tomatoes, meats & cheeses, or try Ligurian style rabbit.
Red 2 – 2018 Chacewater Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills
Organically Grown Grapes
91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah
Winemaker Derek Holstein chose grapes from the North Ponderosa Vineyards and aged the wine for 14 months in both American and French oak.
This rich, rustic Zin is packed with strawberry, red cherry, white pepper and laced with smoky vanilla oak. The lush mid-palate is fat with berry characters, finishing with expansive fruit, lingering sweet oak and complex ripeness.
Food pairings: Baby back ribs, smoked brisket, bbq chicken
White 1 – 2020 Febo 'Parella', Trebbiano di Abruzzese, Abruzzo, Italy
Organic, Natural, Vegan
100% Trebbiano di Abruzzese
Near to the Adriatic coastline in Eastern Italy, Davide and Laura Febo decided to connect with their family history and grow the Febo winery and family business. No one describes Febo and their wines better than themselves: “The goal of the winery is to produce wines that are a clear expression of the territory and of the passion for viticulture.”
This is a natural wine made from the up-and-coming variety, Trebbiano Abruzzese. A nice straw yellow color gorgeous exotic, nose, saffron, fresh and fruity taste. Fermented and refined in the winegrower's grandparents' concrete vessels.
Food pairings: White meats and fish in delicate cream sauces
White 2 – 2021 Salcheto Obvius Unfiltered Bianco, Tuscany, Italy
Certified Organic
75% Trebbiano, 25% Vermentino
At Salcheto they attempt to maintain a balance with nature through sustainable farming and winemaking practices. These include non-invasive organic and biodynamic growing methods, as well as systematic energy and water conservation.
Trebbiano from the Poggio Piglia estate, blended with some Vermentino made in collaboration with the biodynamic estate Incontri from Suvereto. Interpreted through stainless steel fermentation and maturation and unfiltered for an “all-fruit” experience made even more attractive by the use of grapes only - no added sulfites, yeasts, tannins or anything else you can imagine.
Food Pairing: Hard Italian cheeses, seafood pastas, white pizza, roast chicken and pesto dishes
BUBBLES CLUB
Bubbles 1 – Mylonas Winery Pét Nat, Attica, Greece
100% Savatiano
The abbreviation Pet Nat stands for "Pétillant Naturel" and means "naturally sparkling". It is a natural production method of sparkling wine originating in France. In contrast to the champagne process, the carbon dioxide responsible for the sparkling comes directly from the first fermentation. The resulting carbonic acid ensures the very fine bubbles. The remaining natural yeast gives texture, aging potential and freshness. The pure character of the 'new boom' grape variety Savatiano combines well with the natural, sparkling freshness.
Aromas of citrus fruit (tangerine, orange), white blossom, apple, elderberry, sourdough with lively acidity and low alcohol. The aromas complemented by apple, pear, herbs & spicy and minerality on the finish.
Bubbles 2 – Charles Ellner Carte Blanche Brut Champagne, Epernay, France
30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier
Champagne Charles Ellner, in the heart of Epernay, was and is a family business. At the end of the 19th century, Charles Emile Ellner, the founder of the House, began acquiring small vineyards in Epernay while also starting his career as a professional “riddler”. In 1905, he first released Champagne under his own name. His son Pierre and his 4 grandsons developed the business, and in 1972 the company became “Negociant Manipulant”.
Today the house is run by Jean-Pierre Ellner, one of the grandsons of the estate’s founder. His nephews Frederic and Arnaud Ellner manage vineyards and production. His daughters Emmanuelle Foulon Ellner and Alexandra Ellner also work at the estate.
This elegant and subtle blend offers an attractive freshness. On the palate, it is fruity and round with floral hints and citrus notes.
Bubbles 3 – Ballerin Crémant de Bordeaux Brut, Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France
50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Sémillon, 20% Muscadelle
Ballarin is produced by Celene Bordeaux, a family-owned winery run by Francoise Lannoye and her daughter, Céline. In 1947, Maison Ballarin became the first winery to produce sparkling wine in Bordeaux using the traditional method. (Crémant de Bordeaux would not become an AOC until 1990.) The legacy of this historic house is preserved by Céline Lannoye, who purchased the winery in 2015. Her goal is to create world class traditional sparkling wines which faithfully convey the unique qualities of Entre-deux-Mers.
Fine, persistent bubbles which elevate floral, citrus and toasted spice aromas. Medium bodied and clean with bright acidity, ripe stone fruit and delicate bubbles.
NP SOMM CLUB
Red 1 – 2020 The Walls 'The Ramparts', Red Heaven Vineyard, Red Mountain AVA, Washington
44% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre, 25% Counoise
The Mourvèdre comes from the sandy loamy soils at the bottom of the hill at Red Heaven Vineyard. The Counoise comes from the rockier hillside areas and Grenache from a west-facing slope.
Native Yeast | 100% Free-Run | 20% New French Oak Large Format
“Medium ruby-hued, with a subtle nose of ripe black cherries, dried herbs, pepper, and a touch of loamy earth, this carries to a medium to full-bodied, round, supple, forward, undeniably delicious red blend to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years.” – Jeb Dunnuck (91-93 Points)
Food Pairings: Lamb, beef, veal, duck and wild game
Red 2 – 2019 Cep Estate Syrah, Sonoma Coast
100% Syrah
Winemaker Notes: This Syrah features hints of blackberry and pomegranate with lavender top notes complicated by aromas of white pepper, grilled meat, herbs, and iron. Cep Syrah is not a bruiser featuring low alcohol, clean acidity, and a medium to long finish. It is a versatile and delicious red wine that complements most cuisine.
"The 2019 Estate Syrah has a very pretty, cool-climate nose of freshly cracked pepper, graphite and purple flowers with a core of fresh blackcurrant fruit and touches of charcuterie. The medium-bodied palate is silky and refreshingly approachable, with delicate, floral-laced fruits and an uplifted finish." – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (92 Points)
Food Pairings: Charcuterie, sausages, roast chicken, filet mignon
White – 2021 Orixe Sotelo 'Albor' Blanco, Calaveras County
60% Albariño, 40% Godello
A California wine with Spanish roots. Orixe (o-REE-shay) is a Galician word from Latin “origo” meaning: “beginning, source, birth, origin”. The name, Sotelo, originates in the coastal mountains of Galicia, Spain. Gustavo & Jackie Sotelo aspire to expand upon California’s wine culture, with a strong vision for their future in California - a state that is primed for a renaissance of these cultivars and wine expressions.
Albor - meaning 'first light', comes from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Radiant and aromatic, this crisp white is light and refreshing.
Food Pairings: Spring green salads, octopus and seafood, sheep cheeses