CLASSIC CLUB
Red 1 – 2020 Lucas & Lewellen Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County
100% Pinot Noir
Louis Lucas, a third generation grape grower, and Superior Court Judge Royce Lewellen met in 1975 through the Santa Maria Wine & Food Society. Over the next twenty-five years, the Lucas and Lewellen families would grow in a deep friendship that would serve as the foundation for Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards, a Solvang, California based winery with four hundred estate acres, three major wine labels, two popular tasting rooms in downtown Solvang, and a state of the art winery.
Aromas include dried cherries, rose petals, and a hint of dark chocolate. Sultry tannins and balanced acidity support flavors of cola, lavender, exotic spice, and just a trace of vineyard terroir in a lasting finish. The hand-harvested grapes for this Pinot Noir were carefully selected for complexity and elegance.
Food pairings: Turkey, duck, roast chicken, venison and medium-firm cheeses.
Red 2 – 2019 Elephant Hill Syrah, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
100% Syrah
Syrah is the key varietal at Elephant Hill. Hand harvested, small batch fermentation aged in French oak ensures a wine of great balance.
"With aromas of ripe black currant and red pepper corn, wild berry compote, pepper and sweet meats the bouquet is fresh, youthful, varietal and enticing. On the palate - flavours of dark berries and toasty oak, pepper and baking spices, currants, some ageing meats and earthy tones of dry rock. Medium tannins and plenty of acidity add texture and bite with the core of fruit adding weight, length and finish. A polished expression, ready to enjoy." – Cameron Douglas MS, 93 points
Food Pairing: Barbecue meats, flavorful beef dishes, rich tomato based dishes and hard cheeses.
White 1 – 2022 Andis Sauvignon Blanc, Sierra Foothills
Organic
94% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Semillon, 2% Arinto
In the rural wine region of Amador County, Janis Akuna and her husband Andy Friedlander purchased a vineyard in 2009, replanted it and began a career in winemaking in 2014 to sustainably produce world class wines.
Their Sauvignon Blanc shows lemon blossom aromas, tangy but ripe citrus flavors, and a hint of fresh-cut green apples backed by a refreshing acidity to make this medium-bodied wine extremely appealing. Bright and crisp with lingering flavors of grapefruit and green apple.
Food Pairing: Seafood, light pasta dishes and chicken
White 2 – 2020 Rancho Coyote Noir Blanc, Sonoma County
Organically Grown
100% Pinot Noir
The Noir Blanc is made from the “free run” juice of Pinot Noir grapes that were piled high and naturally crushed under their own weight. This method avoids imparting color and tannins to the wine. Therefore, a white wine was made from a red grape. This method yields extremely small amounts of wine, so Noir Blanc’s are rare and unique wines.
The juice was barrel fermented in French oak with naturally occurring yeasts and lees stirring to enhance texture. Subtle aromas of cassis lead to flavors of crisp Asian pears and white nectarines with bright acidity and freshness.
Food pairings: This food friendly wine will enhance many dishes
COLLECTORS CLUB
Red 1 – 2015 Taddei Cabernet Sauvignon, Linked Vineyard, Knights Valley, Sonoma
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Christopher Taddei is a self taught winemaker with a background in chemistry. He started his winery in 2003. Chris makes wine with intention and deliberateness and sources grapes from high altitude vineyards.
This wine features classic aromas of ripe red and black stone fruits, dried herbs, with hints of leather and tobacco. Bold and rich on the palate, full bodied with smooth tannins and a long persistent finish. With power, grace and elegance, it is just now beginning to reach it's drinking maturity.
Food Pairing: Ribeye steak, lamb chops, blue veined cheeses.
Red 2 – 2016 Versos de Valtuille Cepas Centenarias Mencia, Bierzo, Spain
100% Mencia
Mencía is a medium-bodied red wine grape that produces high quality wines with floral and red fruit flavors. It only grows in Spain and Portugal on the Iberian peninsula. What makes Mencía special is it has shown the ability to age like other fine wines and it offers rich aromas in the glass. This wine is from grapes that are an average of 90 years old. After fermentation it is aged in French oak for 4-6 months.
Aromas of ripe red fruits combined with mineral touches and black licorice, as well as the presence of smoke and balsamic notes. The palate is structured and unctuous, with pleasant oak leaves. Fresh, balanced, and with good structure.
Food Pairing: Turkey (especially the dark meat), roast pork, smoked seitan, mushroom risotto.
White – 2018 Bilancia Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
100% Chardonnay
Bilancia is a small Hawke's Bay producer of exceptional Pinot Gris, Viognier, Chardonnay and Syrah. Warren Gibson (winemaker at Trinity Hill) and his winemaker wife, Lorraine Leheny established Bilancia in 1997. They chose Hawke's Bay as the only area in New Zealand that they felt could satisfy all the requirements they had for making wine themselves.
"Tangy, vibrant chardonnay with citrus, grapefruit, lime, white peach, ginger and nutty yeast lees flavors. A moderately concentrated, high-energy wine with a fine, peppery texture." – Bob Campbell (93 Points)
PINOT CLUB
Pinot 1 – 2016 Taddei Pinot Noir, Indindoli Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma
100% Pinot Noir
Christopher Taddei is a self taught winemaker with a background in chemistry. He started his winery in 2003. Chris makes wine with intention and deliberateness and sources grapes from high altitude vineyards.
Aromas of ripe tree fruits, wild berries, sage, lavender, cinnamon and forest floor. The wine has layers of mocha and Asian spice all wrapped with the framework of selective oak barrel. Complex with a velvety texture and bright acidity. Year after year this vineyard creates a wine that is consistent and approachable when young, but built to age.
Food Pairing: Pork roast, red meats, cheese and charcuterie
Pinot 2 – 2021 Stolo Pinot Noir, SLO Coast AVA
100% Pinot Noir
Tucked in a canyon just off the coast from the Cambria Pines, these vineyards gets the marine layer in the morning and bright warming sun in the afternoon. The Estate Creekside vineyards and the wine program at Stolo has been farmed and managed by acclaimed winemaker Rajat Parr since 2021.
Winemaker Notes: 100% whole cluster fermentation in large neutral wooden fermenters for 8 days before press-off. Aged 11 months in French barrique barrels, 20% new 80% neutral.
"Light in the glass, this refreshing bottling pops on the nose with brisk cranberry, thyme and damp fennel aromas. The palate picks up a crisp strawberry character, as thyme and anise notes add depth. This is quaffable yet complex." – Wine Enthusiast (93 Points)
Food pairing: Roast turkey with sausage stuffing, poached or roasted salmon
ORGANIC CLUB
Red 1 – 2021 Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros 'Mibal' Ribera del Duero, Spain
Certified Organic / Natural
100% Tempranillo
Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros is a small “garage winery” (garagiste) in the town of Roa within the Ribera del Duero DO region. This bodega is one of the most artisanal producers in Ribera del Duero. In concept, neither a business nor a factory, this tiny garage is a place where raw material, selection and precision culminate in great wine making.
This bottling comes from 20 year old tempranillo vines planted at 700-900 meters in elevation. After a manual harvest, the fruit is destemmed and then fermented with natural yeasts. Unoaked.
Food pairings: Sheep cheeses, seafood paella and rice dishes.
Red 2 – 2021 La Ragnaie Troncone Toscana Rosso, Montalcino, Italy
Biodynamic Farming
100% Sangiovese
90 PTS - VINOUS, 92 PTS - JAMES SUCKLING
White 1 – 2022 Andis Sauvignon Blanc, Sierra Foothills
Organic
94% Sauvignon Blanc, 4% Semillon, 2% Arinto
In the rural wine region of Amador County, Janis Akuna and her husband Andy Friedlander purchased a vineyard in 2009, replanted it and began a career in winemaking in 2014 to sustainably produce world class wines.
Their Sauvignon Blanc shows lemon blossom aromas, tangy but ripe citrus flavors, and a hint of fresh-cut green apples backed by a refreshing acidity to make this medium-bodied wine extremely appealing. Bright and crisp with lingering flavors of grapefruit and green apple.
Food Pairing: Seafood, light pasta dishes and chicken
BUBBLES CLUB
Bubbles 1 – Domaine Saint Vincent Brut Sparkling, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Domaine Saint Vincent is handcrafted American sparkling wine in true Méthode Champenoise style. The winemaker selects only the best grapes to create a crisp, well-balanced wine with bright fruit notes and elegant, fine bubbles. Produced in New Mexico by the acclaimed Gruet family of the Champagne region.
Wonderful aromas of green apple and citrus mineral notes make for a delightful start to this traditional sparkler. This Brut NV offers bright, crisp acidity complimented by a touch of yeast on the delightfully long finish.
Bubbles 2 – Revi Brut Rosé, Trentodoc, Italy
80% Pinot Nero, 20% Chardonnay
Reví Wines is a relatively young brand compared to its contemporaries in Italy, established in 1982 by Paolo Malfer. Yet, from its inception, Paolo has been hyper-focused on producing pristine, sparkling wines from the Trentodoc appellation and honoring the winemaking traditions of his home region.
The wine undergoes a low temperature, long initial fermentation before bottling for its secondary fermentation using the Metodo Classico or Classic Method. Aging on the lees for 36 months produces an intensely fragrant nose of red fruits and pink roses, with a creamy mouthfeel on the palate accentuated by the tiny, persistent bubbles. A sparkling rosé that is satisfyingly refreshing and a beautiful accompaniment to charcuterie and cheese.
Bubbles 3 – Bodkin 'Cuvée Agincourt' Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County
100% Sauvignon Blanc
America's First Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc! This unique and stylish twist on Sauvignon Blanc has a core of racy crispness driven by lively acidity, accented with lemon-lime aromas and citrus-passion fruit flavors. The pronounced citrus tones team with a note of toasted hazelnuts to accent the plush mouthfeel of the wine. Great for celebrating or everyday joy!
NERD NOTE: This wine is called Cuvee Agincourt in reference to the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War. In 1415, an English army, which was largely comprised of archers armed with Bodkin-pointed arrows, beat a massive French army of primarily of high nobility.
NP SOMM CLUB
Red 1 – 2020 Domaine Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
The story of the Autard family is the story of all great appellations, in that it is the story of the evolution of expertise -- the sum of first-hand experiences, observations, experiments, inventions, and discoveries, in this case specific to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and the Autard property in particular -- as it is passed down from generation to generation.
Winemaker Notes: It is a balanced, elegant, deeply colored and vividly flavored Châteauneuf-du-Pape, due to the old vines’ naturally low yields. It brims with fresh and pure dark berry fruit and notes of black pepper and chocolate.
Food pairings: Game dishes, roasted red meats and lamb
Red 2 – 2021 Xavier Vignon Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre
Each grape variety in this blend comes from different terroirs, vinified and aged individually and blended just before bottling. Xavier Vignon grants himself the freedom to experiment with vintages, to blend different vintages of the same appellation, the same cuvée. The art of blending fascinated him from an early age and, over the years, he has turned it into an art form, daring to try out new associations, transcending codes and offering new, innovative techniques.
"Floral, pretty and neat, with good purity of fruit. Smooth on the palate, the acidity, fruit and tannin all balanced. Well played for such a tricky year. Much better than most and will last longer than most 2021s."
- Decanter, 90 Points
Food pairings: Lamb tajine with prunes, roasted pork with sage, mild Thaï curry beef
White – 2021 Joseph Mellot 'Domaine des Chantres' Sancerre, Loire, France
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Intense aromas of yellow flesh fruits, round and full on the palate. Well balanced.
Food pairings: Appetizers, cold cuts, chicken dishes and goat cheeses