CLASSIC CLUB
Red 1- 2021 Van Ardi Red Blend – Armenia
A fruit-forward, medium-to-full-bodied red blend of indigenous grapes (Areni, Haghtanak, Milagh, Kakhet), offering notes of dark cherry, plum, blueberry, and hints of spice, oak, chocolate, and forest floor, known for its structure, balanced acidity, and smooth finish, pairing well with roasted meats or pasta. It's made by using organic practices, featuring native yeasts and some barrel aging in French/Armenian oak.
Van Ardi translates as ‘Sun of Van’, referring to the ancient capital of Armenia where Varuzhan Mouradian’s ancestors are from. He is the owner and founder of Van Ardi who moved to Armenia in 2008 to pursue his dream of making wine after having lived in the US for many years.
Since its inception, the estate has operated based on organic principles, and has achieved Organic Certification. When Armenia was absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1921, the identity of many Armenian varieties was obscured and eventually forgotten.
Varuzhan is one of the winemakers who has shifted the focus to indigenous, high quality grape varieties. This bottling of the Estate Red Blend contains the varieties Areni, Haghtanak, and Milagh. The varieties were tank fermented, then 40% aged in French & Caucasian two-year-old barrels for six months. The varietes were vinified separately, blended three months before bottling, and then rested four months in bottles.
Pair it with hearty stews, tri-tip, tomato-based pasta dishes, most grilled or roasted meats.
Drink or Hold: Beautifully drinkable now; will continue to evolve gracefully through 2030. Serve at 60–65°F. Decant for 30-45 minutes to soften edges and open aromatics as the wine will evolve rather quickly.
Red 2 - 2022 Shofer Areni, Armenia
A red wine from the Vayots Dzor region, made from 100% native Areni grapes, known for its medium body, flavors of plum, cherry, and black pepper, and often paired with barbecue or stews, embodying a unique blend of Armenian terroir with Old World eleganceple, with juicy red fruit lifted by bright acidity and underpinned by a subtle earthy core. Elegant and expressive of its coastal terroir.
Pair it with This wine pairs well with barbecue and stews. It's a great Thanksgiving vino.
Drink or Hold: Excellent now for freshness and vibrancy, Serve at 55–65°F. A short 20 minute aeration will help expand the aromatics.
White 1 – 2021 Marchese De'Cordano Palazzo Battaglini Pecorino Terre di Chietti, Central Italy
Yellow apples, ripe pear, elderflower and lemons characterize the nose of this Pecorino, and more apples, pears and lemon appear on the palate. A saline edge and healthy acid create a welcome tension with the roundness of the fruit, maintained through a substantial finish.
Pair it with grilled shrimp, seafood paella, tapas, or young Manchego cheese. Any seafood pretty much! Do not overthink it!
Drink or Hold: Meant for freshness, best now through 2026. Serve at 48–50°F. No decanting necessary.
White 2- 2023 Beitler Assyrtiko Suisun Valley, California
A "little slice of Santorini in your glass," blending Greek tradition with Californian fruit. A crisp, zesty white wine from winemaker J. Derek Beitler, offering bright citrus, green apple, and a distinct saline minerality with hints of peach and crushed rock, reminiscent of a Mediterranean style but with California cool, making it an excellent pairing for lighter fare or seafood.
Pair it with - Great with green salads, seafood risotto, grilled fish, or creamy pasta.
Drink or Hold: Delicious now, with potential through 2028. Serve at 50–55°F. A quick swirl in the glass enhances aromatics; decanting not necessary.
COLLECTORS CLUB
Red 1 – 2021 La Lieff Valkerie, Los Alamos, California
Produced from Alamo Creek Ranch's best Grenache (70%) and Syrah (30%), grown on rocky, volcanic soils located on the southern most edge of San Luis Obispo County. Aromas of luxardo cherry, star anise, cinnamon and made make for a rich and spicy nose on this Rhône blend from a unique vineyard just north of the Santa Maria Valley. Chalky tannins and a rich mouthfeel deliver lovely flavors of lilac, blueberry and boysenberry with hints of thyme and anise on the finish.
Pair it with A very versatile red that loves BBQ, Steaks and Stews!
Drink or Hold: Showing well now, age through 2030. Serve at 60–65°F.
Red 2 - 2021 La Lieff Grenache, Los Alamos, California
A vibrant, medium-bodied red known for notes of raspberry, cherry cola, rhubarb, and spice, with earthy hints of leather and fine tannins, aged in neutral French oak to preserve fruit and terroir from Alamo Creek Vineyard. Expect a bright, fruity palate with cherry, pomegranate, nutmeg, and a long, silky finish, reflecting Rhône varietal focus.
Pair it with roast duck, cedar-plank salmon, roasted root vegetables, or wild mushroom risotto. It's great for Thanksgiving.
Drink or Hold: Excellent now for freshness and vibrancy, with potential to 2030. Serve at 58–60°F.
White –
2022 Domaine de la Vallee de Feu Chablis
A classic white with a golden color and expressive palate. Produced in a valley with steep slopes and claylimestone soil, it showcases the region's distinctive minerality. The winery focuses on sustainable farming and traditional winemaking techniques. Golden color with white flower aromas. Expressive palate with fresh fruit notes and minerality.
Pair it with Baked Brie, chèvre salad, or lemon-herb chicken.
Drink or Hold: Best young, through 2026. Serve at 48–54°F.
PINOT CLUB
Pinot 1 - 2023 Joyce Pinot Noir – Monterey County, California
From Monterey’s cool, fog-kissed vineyards, this Pinot Noir showcases balance and finesse. Aromas of raspberry, cranberry, and violets mingle with notes of coastal sage and spice. On the palate, it is silky and supple, with juicy red fruit lifted by bright acidity and underpinned by a subtle earthy core. Elegant and expressive of its coastal terroir.
Pair it with roast duck, cedar-plank salmon, or wild mushroom risotto. It's a great Thanksgiving vino too!!!
Drink or Hold: Excellent now for freshness and vibrancy, with potential to 2027. Serve at 58–60°F. A short 20-minute aeration will help expand the aromatics.
Pinot 2 – 2023 Fournier Pere et Fils Pinot Noir – Loire Valley, France
A crowd pleasing, hedonistic 2023 Vin de France Pinot Noir offers enticing aromatics and plenty of tasty, feel good flavors. Cranberry, black currant, and plum flavors caress the nose and grace the palate. The juicy flavor of freshly picked raspberries and a touch of exotic spice emerge in the mouth, too, carried on a soft flow of succulent tannins that left us all asking for more. Balanced and lovely, the 2023 Fournier Vin de France Pinot Noir is hard to beat. Accessible and gratifying all at the same time, it’s difficult to imagine a more enjoyable Loire Valley red than Fournier’s 2023 Vin de France Pinot Noir.
Pair it with baked brie, coq au vin, charcuterie, roasted chicken, or Gruyère tart.
Drink or Hold: For optimal enjoyment, we suggest affording 5-10 minutes of aeration before serving it cool (58°-62° F). Anticipated maturity: 2024-2027. Santé!
ORGANIC CLUB
Red 1 – 2020 Chateau Fonsalade St Chinian Cuvee F
Château Fonsalade, established in Languedoc for 130 years, produces Cuvée F with Grenache and Syrah. The vineyard's diverse soils create structured, fruity wines. Cuvée F 2020 is a rich red with mature grape aromas, blackcurrant notes, and a fine, dense tannic structure. Dark red with high intensity, mature grape aromas, blackcurrant, rockrose, light spices. Fat with sweetness, coolness, candied fruits, menthol, grilled taste.
Pair it with Duck breast, Lamb, Lasagna, Couscous with Lentils.
Drink or Hold: Showing well now and will age through 2026. Serve at 60–62°F.
Red 2 – 2023 Cazes Samso Cinsault Nature
A clear raspberry colour. The nose has wild strawberries, a touch of leather and a hint of pepper. The palate is supple and fresh, with notes of blackcurrant and morello cherry, wet foliage and warm spices. The finish is thirst-quenching and clean.
Pair it with - share with friends on tartars, dry meat with planxa, patatas bravas, veal cannelloni, sardine rillettes.
Drink or Hold: Meant for freshness, best now. Serve slightly more chilled at 58-60°F. No decanting necessary.
White 1- 2024 Zephyr Riesling Marlborough, New Zealand
A vibrant, crisp, organic white wine praised for its purity, low alcohol (around 10%), and balance of fresh citrus (lime, tangerine), floral notes (orange blossom), and minerality, finishing dry despite some residual sugar, offering excellent food pairing potential. It's noted for its zesty palate, crisp acidity, and mineral layers, with reviewers highlighting lime zest, lemon pith, and hints of spice, making it a refreshing, textural wine .
Pair it with Ideal for summer/fall salads, sushi/sashimi, or seafood.
Drink or Hold: Delicious now and will age 5+ years. Serve at 50–52°F. A quick swirl in the glass enhances aromatics; decanting not necessary.
BUBBLES CLUB
Bubbles 1 – Champagne Bruno Paillard Reims, France
In 1985, with his House still in its early years, Bruno Paillard made a bold and singular choice: to create his Perpetual Reserve – a practice then unprecedented in Champagne! Thus began a blend destined, year after year, to integrate the character of each harvest and to enrich the vintages to come. Created 40 years ago, this Reserve, embodied in Première Cuvée Extra-Brut, tells the story of the House. It is a sensory archive, transmitting the taste of past vintages while ensuring the consistency of a style both vibrant and profound.
The golden straw colour reveals a high presence of chardonnay and the exclusive use of the first pressings. The fine bubbles are due to a strict selection of the best grapes, perfectly controlled temperature in the cellar and very long ageing. The primary aromas reveal the citrus fruits of chardonnay: lime and grapefruit. Then the red fruits aromas of pinot noir appear: redcurrant, raspberry, morello cherries. When left to open up in the glass, the wine shows hints of dried fruits, sometimes exotic, from pinot meunier.
Pair it with oysters, sushi, risotto with Parmesan, or Taleggio cheese. However, some of our favorite pairing is fried chicken with crispy fries.
Drink or Hold: Perfect now, with 5-10 years of cellaring potential for added nutty complexity. Serve chilled at 47–52°F. No decanting. And please pour it in a nice wine glass and abandon the champagne flutes here -- It will taste better, we promise!
Bubbles 2 –
NP SOMM CLUB
Red 1 – 2020 Chateau Clarke Bordeaux Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Founded in 1771 by the Irish Clarke family, Château Clarke is a historic Médoc wine estate renowned for its elegance, heritage, and innovation. In 1973, Baron Edmond de Rothschild acquired the property and initiated a complete transformation—restructuring the vineyards and investing in modern winemaking and storage facilities. His vision: to make Château Clarke a benchmark of quality in Bordeaux.
A Merlot-dominant (70%) with Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) red wine known for its rich, balanced profile, showing ripe berries, cedar, and vanilla with velvety tannins, excellent aging potential, and reflecting a strong vintage for Bordeaux. This estate focuses on quality, using low yields and traditional aging in new barrels, making it a harmonious and cellar-worthy Bordeaux.
Pair it with Chateaubriand, Moroccan lamb tagine, braised short ribs, or truffled mushroom dishes. Also with hard aged cheese and cured meats.
Drink or Hold: The 2020 vintage is considered a standout year for Bordeaux. Drink now with 1–2 hours decant; age through 2040. Serve at 60–65°F.
Red 2 – 2018 Chateau Des Laurets Puisseguin St-Emilion, France
Violet hues shimmer through the glass, showcasing the wine's vibrant clarity. The exceptionally fresh nose bursts with intense black fruit aromas, intertwined with hints of cedar and Morello cherries. On the palate, the wine’s elegance unfolds with bold character, featuring sophisticated, velvety tannins and subtle notes of licorice. The finish is long and persistent, leaving a lasting impression. While the youthful freshness is delightful, this wine also promises excellent cellaring potential.
Pair it with - meat pie, meatloaf, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, aged Gouda, or Mimolette. Perfect for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner!
Drink or Hold: Delicious now with 45 minute decant; cellars gracefully through 2035. Serve at 60–65°F.
White – 2023 Chateau Clarke Le Merle Blanc, Listrac Medoc, France
Few Médoc estates produce a white Bordeaux wine. First crafted in 1890, Le Merle Blanc is a cherished part of the estate’s history. Revived by Baron Edmond de Rothschild, this vibrant white wine once made up a quarter of the Château’s total production and continues to captivate wine lovers around the world.
This wine offers intense aromas of exotic fruits and juicy white pear. Upon aeration, its complexity deepens with hints of flint and white flowers. On the palate, it reveals itself as ample and flavorful, carried by a beautiful acidic framework that ensures balance and freshness through the finish. The experience culminates in subtle woody notes, adding richness and elegance.
Pair it with oysters for sure! seared scallops, crab cakes, roasted chicken, Coquille St Jacques, or soft-ripened cheeses.
Drink or Hold: Enjoy now for freshness or cellar through 2030. Serve at 50–55°F. No decanting.