Wine Club Newsletter - February 2015
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Passenger
Growing Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal Blend: “A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, with support bits of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec.”
Fermentation: 25% New French Oak For Two Years
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $90.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $76.49
Broad Strokes:
From the Producers: “It has long been understood and privately recognized that winemakers take on a few projects under the radar, with strict rules that the organizers of the project ‘on the side’ never mention the name of the winemaker. And as a fact, these side projects offer stunning fruit sources and the same outstanding talents of the winemaker at a fraction of the price of the main winery's offerings. Production levels on these under-the-radar wines are sometimes as small as a few hundred cases and rarely make it to market except with limited restaurant or retail placements where the partners have connections.” Only 192 Cases produced.
Appearance:
I love the simplicity of the label, and also the statement that it makes. “The egg is from a Passenger Pigeon, which was once a most prolific bird in the United States. By 1914, their numbers were down to nothing. The message is to seize the day, gather ye rosebuds, and share an amazing bottle of wine with your dear ones.” The wine itself is a beautiful dark red with black tones and at the core.
Nose:
Dark cherry and roasted nuts. Good dollop of vanilla and oak, dark fruits and hints of white and black pepper. Very classy. Producers say you can detect the “dust” from the vineyard, and I found that as well.
Texture:
Seamless in the palate, it is not heavily extracted, oaked, or has too much alcohol in it. It is not feminine, rather it is elegant and well-integrated whilst having intensity and good structure.
Flavors:
A total joy, reminding me of one of those chocolate sundaes I had in youth. Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, dark berries, roasted nuts, and cappuccino. I also noticed black truffle, anise, and spices.
Serving Suggestions:
Treasure it!!! Sock away 6-12 bottles for 10 years plus. It is a rare bird, and tough to find.
2012 Tempranillo, The Seven Brothers, Robledo Family Winery
Growing Region: Napa Valley, California
Varietal Blend: 100% Tempranillo
Fermentation: Barrel Fermentation
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $28.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $25.19
Broad Strokes:
I had the pleasure of visiting Robledo Family Winery last year. It was truly a remarkable experience. We tasted though nearly a dozen wines, had appetizers, and mingled with family members. We were determined to bring their wines to San Diego, as well as have a winemaker dinner with them. Here’s our first exposure to this fine winery. You should know it is the people behind it that make it great.
Appearance:
First thing you should do is read the back label, and you can begin to appreciate “The American Dream.” What a story! Good-looking bottle and label. The wine is very pretty, glimmering and reflecting light from its dark magenta coloring.
Nose:
Good solid red and black fruits emanating from the glass. Blueberry and blackberry, laced with toasty vanilla oak. Notes of grilled bread, roasted nuts, especially pine nut, and some tropical fruit. Floral notes include violets. Got a good dose of coffee/cappuccino, with a bit of leather mixed in.
Texture:
The wine is medium to medium-full in body. Balanced and smooth, with superb ripeness, acid and sweetness. The texture clearly changes in the glass after a few minutes, going from a slightly rough entry to a silky smooth, lively palate feel. The finish, with excellent tannins, is long and rich.
Flavors:
The ripeness of the fruit comes through very well to the palate. Bright red fruits, combined with coffee and cappuccino, along with the blueberry and blackberry flavors, provide a satisfying, delicious glass of wine. Some herbs, mostly thyme, pop up as you taste further.
Serving Suggestions:
Drinking this wine reminded me of having coffee and fresh berries in the morning. The wine is great without food, but the fine lines of acid beg for grilled meats, black olives, tapenade. Or, try with a fine chocolate. Age 5-10 years in the cellar.
2011 BlueGray Priorat, Spain
Growing Region: Priorat, Spain
Varietal Blend: 45% Garnacha, 30% Mazuelo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: Barrel Fermentation
Alcohol Content: 15%
Suggested Retail: $20.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $17.99
Broad Strokes:
Another excellent example of the “New World” wine coming from what used to be “Old World” area in Spain. This means modern techniques in the vineyard and in the winemaking process. These practices generally bring higher extracted fruit as well and higher alcohol content, and the results yield typically more complex wines. This BlueGray Priorat belongs on your table and in your cellar!
Appearance:
A handsome, dashing label in my view. BlueGray is a reference to the soil in their vineyards, which is a mix of slate with those colors. That’s what is artistically depicted on the left side of the label, the slate. The wine is dark, with magenta rim, coating the glass with heavy, dark red tears.
Nose:
The aromatics are not the shy type, and jump from the glass to greet you. Dark berry jam, meat stews, baked apples with cinnamon, and more dark fruits. The nose seemed earthy, rustic, almost guttural, but comes off well rounded and sophisticated after a few minutes in the glass.
Texture:
The wine is medium to medium-full in body. A very nice, rich entry has a silky feel to it. You can feel the alcohol in your mouth, however the wine has a creamy essence, so the alcohol feel on the first impression is subdued in short time. A lip-smacker.
Flavors:
Dark flavors. Dark cherry, plum, dark wood (mahogany), black pepper, toasted oak, nutmeg and clove, coffee bean, and dark chocolate. As I said, a lot of darks. A Gary Parker oddball call: chocolate ice cream cone, cone and all. Saddle leather.
Serving Suggestions:
BlueGray Priorat is one of the most remarkable wines I have ever had, in regards to how it changes the flavors of the food you’re having, and how the wine itself changes with food. I was amazed by this. Keep up to five years, and enjoy with grilled steaks.
2013 Riverlore Pinot Gris, Marlborough
Growing Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Varietal Blend: 100% Pinot Gris
Fermentation: Stainless Steel Tanks, Neutral Wood
Alcohol Content: 13%
Suggested Retail: $22.00
WineSellar Club Case Price: $17.09
Broad Strokes:
While Punxsutawny Phil saw his shadow a few days ago, portending six more weeks of winter weather, here in San Diego it’s 70+ degrees and spring like. Not to gloat to our out-of -state WineSellar Club members, I bring this up because the Riverlore Pinot Gris is fresh and lively, and reminds me of a wine I would like to consume during springtime.
Appearance:
I thought the label reminded me of some of the new craft beer designs we are seeing these days. However, it represents an ancient New Zealand mythological creature that lives in the depths of deep pools and dark caves, as well as the bottom of the sea. It is considered to be both dangerous, and alternatively a protector of people. Screw -capped. The liquid is a clean, clear, lovely shade of white-gold. Shows its leg well.
Nose:
I fell in love with the nose, first whiff. Pastry dough, toasted white bread, honeydew melon, vanilla spices with perfume/honeysuckle aromas. It features some ripe citrus notes, meringue, kiwi and lychee nut, and then a distant hint of the wood.
Texture:
Lively acid is very welcoming, and gets the mouth juices flowing. Smooth entry on this medium-bodied winner. It’s long in the middle palate and it’s long in the finish. Good weight and balance, and a very clean overall impression. It kind of dances in your mouth.
Flavors:
Hints of pear and peach shine through the vibrant, refreshing character of this wine. Kind of like a peaches and cream, but with really ripe citrus notes, such as Meyer lemon, blood orange, mandarin orange and tangerine. I got the meringue from the nose on the palate, as well as the honeysuckle, kiwi and lychee nut. The wood element is a little more detectable on the palate than it is on the nose. Gorgeous overall product!
Serving Suggestions:
White-fleshed fish, lighter cheeses, or all by itself, the wine is clearly a joy to drink for many occasions, special ones, or just hanging out. Drink over the next 18 months.
Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart
This is a relatively simple dessert to make, and will stay good at room temperature for a few days. It’s great with sauternes, sherry, and Madeira.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup cream, warmed
- 1 oz. butter
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. almond extract
- 8 oz. toasted macadamia nuts
- 2 whole eggs
- 1-10 ½” diameter tart shell, baked
Method:
- Combine water and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, boil until it
- reaches a dark caramel stage. Add warmed cream and stir to
- dissolve caramel.
- Stir in butter to melt, then add salt, almond extract, and macadamia nuts.
- When cool, beat the eggs and stir into caramel.
- Pour into tart shell and bake at 350º for 25 minutes.