Wine Club Newsletter - May 2014
Mi Sueno Winery
“A couple months ago I spent an afternoon at Mi Sueno winery, tasting through their fabulous selections. The wines are fantastic, and very well priced!”
- Owner & Founder, Gary Parker
From the Winemaker:
El Llano, Michoacan is rarely mistaken for Napa Valley, but in hindsight it would play a significant role in the type of winemaker and person that I am today. It was in Michoacan, working alongside my grandparents that I received my early lessons in agriculture. I can still recall hiking with them into the mountains to tend special plots of land and discovering the unique qualities of the mountain grown fruits and vegetables. Little did I know that I was getting an early lesson in the concept of “terrior.”
In 1975, in search of a better way of life, my parents brought our family to the heart of the Napa Valley, St. Helena. Five years later my father would decide to retire and the entire family moved back to Michoacan. However, even at the young age of 15, my dream of working at a winery had already taken root. I yearned to return to Napa Valley where the opportunities seemed so much greater than those in El Llano.
It’s a journey that many of my countrymen have taken before me, carrying with them a “dream” of attaining a better life. While it is often dangerous and riddled with obstacles, it was a trip I was prepared to make. For me, it just wasn’t the allure of a good job that pulled me back to Napa, it was the opportunity for a better education. With a good education I knew that instead of settling for a job in the fields I could aspire and dream of one day owning my own business. While it may have seemed unrealistic at the time, it proved to be a major turning point in my life.
My life in the wine business began humbly as a dishwasher at Auberge du Soleil. Several years later I would move onto Mustards Grill as a line cook. While neither job would ever be mistaken as the foundation for a career in winemaking, it was during these early years that I learned to appreciate the magic that is created when you pair beautiful cuisine with exceptional wine.
In 1985, at the age of 17, I accepted a summer job working for Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Ironically my first job had little to do with wine; I was hired as a laborer to help build a stone wall around the home of Warren Winiarski. Not long after, he would offer me a job working harvest under the condition that I would attend school in the morning.
Over the next 20+ years my journey through the ranks of winemaking would lead to:
10 years at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, the last 7 years as Cellar Master
Assistant Winemaker at Chateau Potelle
Winemaker at Vine Cliff Winery
Director of Winemaking at Paul Hobbs Consulting
Each stop played a significant role in refining my style of winemaking.
Stag’s Leap was the foundation. It was here that I learned to appreciate the smell of the grape must and the feeling of being surrounded by barrels of fermenting wine. In addition, Warren taught me the value of attention to detail as well as to respect and enjoy the product we were making.
At Chateau Potelle I was introduced to French winemaking techniques, including all-natural fermentation. I also learned that while anyone can make wine, to craft a truly unique and special wine, winemaking becomes more of an art form. My tenure at Vine Cliff provided me, for the first time in my career, a chance to be in complete control of the final product.
At Paul Hobbs I had the pleasure of contributing to the development and nurturing of several ultra-premium, boutique wine programs. It was also during my time with Paul Hobbs that I fully committed to building Mi Sueño into a world class wine program. Who would have guessed that a “side project” of 200 cases of Chardonnay would one day grow into what we are today!
-Rolando Herrera, Proprietor/Winemaker
2010 Mi Sueno Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Growing Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: Oak Barrels
Suggested Retail: $70.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $60.29
Broad Strokes:
A couple of months ago I spent an afternoon at Mi Sueno Winery, tasting through their fabulous selections. The Syrah, this Cabernet Sauvignon, along with the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir all were startlingly great. I couldn’t bring all the wines to the Gary Parker Collection members, but you can still find the Russian River Pinot Noir in the shop. It is also a winner.
Appearance:
Good looking label and packaging overall. It comes in a big, thick, but sensible bottle. The Mi Sueno story is on the back, and is a worthy read. It’s part of what makes this wine so special. When I poured the wine, the color of the ensuing bubbles in the glass reminded me of the dark purple of Welch’s Grape Juice. Black at the core, you know you are looking at a brooding monster of sorts.
Nose:
The nose is very complex! Black fruits, red fruits, black cherry, vanilla oak, spices and dark chocolate do not hide themselves. I kept sticking my nose in the glass for more.
Texture:
Creamy, dairy like, full-bodied, and well balanced, this wine delivers an outstanding feel in the mouth. The seamless texture has a nice balance of astringency to fruit, providing a long, perfect finish that is both glorious and satisfying.
Flavor:
GREAT overall flavor components. Dark and red berry fruits meld with the vanilla oak/wood notes brilliantly. It is like biting into the ripest black cherry I have ever had, which is baffling, because these are grapes! With the dark cherry, cola and cream flavors, it is like having an adult ice cream sundae.
Serving Options:
Not sure what to say here, because I love drinking this wine in its relative youth. I am not sure how a wine like this will age, meaning will it become more enjoyable when all the fresh components evolve into the complexities with aging the wine? It reminds me a bit of the Caymus Special Selection Cabernets, which are rounded and generous in youth, and age many years, improving over time. It is a style thing. Do you like them young and fresh, or smoothed out with age? I want this one young and old.
2008 Mi Sueno Syrah, Napa Valley
Growing Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal Blend: 100% Syrah
Fermentation: Oak Barrels
Suggested Retail: $45.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $38.69
Broad Strokes:
A couple of months ago I spent an afternoon at Mi Sueno Winery, tasting through their fabulous selections, and after tasting this wine, I knew I had to bring it to my Gary Parker Collection Club Members.
This Syrah was a stand out to me, partly because it has some years in the bottle. This has given the wine a generally unseen advantage to our Gary Parker Collection members, because we like to age the wines a bit before consuming them. This is ready now, but has another 5-10 years to go for sure. Bit you do get a chance to enjoy the complexity aging a wine will bring to your glass. We bought the last the winery had, and then it is on to the 2009. So if you like the 2008, you better hurry and order it because I am guessing it won’t last much after May.
Appearance:
Good looking label and packaging overall. The Mi Sueno story is on the back, and is a worthy read. It’s part of what makes this wine so special. A dark rose color on the edges of a near black core is beginning to see a little sign of bottle age.
Nose:
The nose is a WOW! Very dark fruit, rich with plum, black cherry and raspberry. It is joined with notes of mocha, latte, black walnut, clay, earth, wet slate, black olives, and black tea.
Texture:
This wine makes my mouth water, and gives me a “juicy” feeling in my mouth that I find unforgettable. It is medium to medium full in body, and has an expansive feel when it hits your mouth. Watch out for sediment at the bottom!
Flavor:
Here’s the line up: Clay, earth, roasted nuts, vanilla, dark and red fruits, slate, hot stones, espresso, mocha, latte, meat pie, black olives and bay leaf. This is all wrapped up in an elegant, balanced yet assertive wine.
Serving Options:
Folks, I just love this wine. I am really happy with all the WineSellar Clubs selections this month, and am especially proud to bring the Mi Sueno selections to my cherished members. Get 6-12 bottles of the 2008 of 2009 and keep it for at least five years.
2010 Mi Sueno Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Growing Region: Russian River Valley, California
Varietal Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: Oak Barrels
Suggested Retail: $48.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $35.99
Broad Strokes:
This is perhaps the best Two Rouge Club we have ever offered, even though it is the same wine twice. It was so great, so compelling, I just had to give you two of these wines. As you can see, if you were buying these from the winery, it would have cost you $96. As a club member, you pay $50 for them. The only catch is that I cannot sell them for $25 each after this offering, but you can see there is a substantial discount offered to you should you wish to purchase more. And I strongly urge you to do just that if you can.
A couple of months ago I spent an afternoon at Mi Sueno Winery, tasting through their fabulous selections, and after tasting this wine, I knew I had to bring it to my Club Members.
Appearance:
Good looking label and packaging overall. The Mi Sueno story is on the back, and is a worthy read. It’s part of what makes this wine so special. Great Pinot Noir color, on the darker side, and very dark at the core. Excellent viscosity.
Nose:
The nose is assertive and jumps right out to you with rich, deep red fruits and spice. Along side the perfect Pinot Noir fruit, you’ll notice vanilla oak, herbs and soil, with orange peel and a hint of white pepper.
Texture:
Classic Russian River fruit: great structure, perfect weight. Creamy, oily texture is dense without being jammy. Lush in the mouth, very extracted fruit, and a long, even finish which stays in your mouth at least half a minute.
Flavor:
Deep red and black fruits are laced with the vanilla oak, just like on the nose. Note some dairy qualities, maybe some cherry cola and a hint of anise as well as a host of other herbs.
Serving Options:
Drink it with anything, but just drink it! Really, it is an excellent wine that works well with food, can stand on its own, or go to the cellar for 5 years. I am very proud of this selection, and happy to bring it to you!
2011 Bourgogne, Vieilles Vignes, Roche de Bellene
Growing Region: Burgundy, France
Varietal Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: 600 Liter Neutral Barrels
Suggested Retail: $25.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $22.50
Broad Strokes:
Maison Roche de Bellene is the brainchild of famous Burgundy producer Nicholas Potel. Mr. Potel has many Grand Cru and Premier Cru holdings in Burgundy, and is a highly respected producer in the region.
This wine comes from vines that are 40-80 years old, hence the term Vieille Vignes, which translates to “Old Vines”. It is rare and difficult to find Red Burgundy for under $25 these days, but here we are! I am sure you will love this elegant, suave, wine. Last year’s vintage received a 90 point rating from the Wine Spectator, and this vintage should be right there with that.
Appearance:
Easy to read label, with Bourgogne clearly stated, and the varietal “Pinot Noir” added to help the American market better assess what is inside the bottle. The wine is a pretty dark rose and cherry skin hue, with good legs.
Nose:
Nice, subtle, even fruit on the aromatics. The fragrance feels very friendly and approachable, balanced, with a touch of mild chocolate, and spices of, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg
Texture:
Silky, suave Pinot Noir texture envelopes and seduces your mouth with its grace and evenness. It is light to medium in body, though it is well concentrated with fruit. It has a fresh, clean feel to it that is charming.
Flavor:
Sweet and dark cherries, some earth and herbs, and a good mineral component to it. Raw chocolate, and more forest floor notes come forward after opening up with 30 minutes of air.
Serving Options:
While this wine has plenty of character and pleasantness to stand on its own, we found the flavors really excelled when paired with our dinner of curry/cocoanut chicken. It is very versatile, and I think this is the kind of wine you need to buy cases of.
2012 The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc
Growing Region: Stellenbosh, Helderberg, South Africa
Varietal Blend: 100% Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc
Fermentation: Stainless Steel Tanks
Suggested Retail: $15.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $13.49
Broad Strokes:
Good Hope is more than just the name of a location at the bottom of Africa. It’s a spirit of optimism. A “can-do” attitude. A positive intention that leads to positive action. Our wines both affordable and drinkable, without sacrificing any notion of quality or individuality. In a region like ours, with our soils, our skills and our climate, we have no excuse not to be optimistic – just as we have no excuse not to provide good value, good quality and good hope. And, while we’re at it, good fun.
As the name suggests, this wine is the product of old bush vines, principally in the Helderberg area of Stellenbosch. They grow on extensively decomposed granite soils, situated on ocean-facing, gravelly slopes that are exposed to cooling sea breezes.
Appearance:
The label boasts their epic surroundings with beautiful vineyards at the foot of sharply carved mountain peaks. The wine from the bottle is bright and cheery with a clean lemony gold appearance.
Nose:
Mineral aromas are what hit me first. It reminds me a bit of pencil eraser and crushed rock. After that it moves into more bright and cheery aromas to match its appearance. I got ripe Meyer lemon, melon, young apricot and hints of dry wool.
Texture:
Round and creamy mouth-feel from being aged on its lees and the occasional battonage (lees stirring) but then leads in to some refreshing acid on the finish.
Flavor:
The fruit is the star of this show! Ripe and juicy tangerine, Meyer lemon, young tropical white peach, a hint of coriander and grapefruit pith on the finish.
Serving Options:
Our house made rabbit sausage would be perfect with this wine! The mild white meat and spice from the sausage draws out all of the complexities and creamy character of this wine.
Honey Chipotle Glazed Pork Tenderloin
(Serves six)
This months’ featured recipe packs a punch of complex and intense flavors involving sweet, smokey, spicy, and earthy tones. The dish finds balance and harmony with the robust glaze from the actual main component, a top grade, pork tenderloin. We suggest sourcing pork that was raised in a humane manner and without the use of hormones or antibiotics. This is a fun and easily prepared main course that will be enhanced by any of our wine club selections from this month, which are all bold and balanced in their own rights. So don’t forget to bring the wine to the table and make it a soul satisfying time for all!
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 chipotle chilies in adobo, finely chopped, with 4 tablespoons of sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 2 pork tenderloins, about 1 ½ to 2 pounds
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Preparation Method:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine honey, chopped peppers, adobo sauce, cilantro, and garlic; set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Trim fat from tenderloins and remove silver skin.
- Combine salt, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and rub all over pork.
- Sear loins in the olive oil, turning to brown all sides, about 8 minutes total.
- Transfer to a lightly oiled baking pan or leave in skillet if it is oven-safe.
- Place on center rack of oven and roast for about 12 minutes, then brush generously with the chipotle mixture. Continue roasting for about 10 minutes or until center of thickest part of loin reaches 165 degrees. An instant read probe thermometer is handy here.
Cooking Method:
To Finish:
Remove from oven and let pork rest for 5 minutes. Slice, transfer to a plate for service, and drizzle with pan juices.
Variations:
More honey or chili powder can be used to adjust for a sweeter or spicier effect.