Wine Club Newsletter - July 2018
Signorello Estate Opens New Tasting Room After Fire
Ray Signorello Jr, owner and co-winemaker at Signorello Estate, has announced that a temporary tasting room will open for wine tourists on the Silverado Trail from 13 July this year.
Signorello’s winery building was destroyed by a ‘tornado of fire’ amid savage wildfires that swept northern California in October 2017, killing more than 40 people and leaving many more homeless.
In January 2018, Signorello launched plans to rebuild, hiring Taylor Lombardo Architects and Nordby Construction Company. ‘We can move Signorello Estate beyond our recent setbacks and towards a brighter future,’ Signorello Jr said. As of 13 July 2018 the newly-built temporary tasting space, The Estate Room, will be open to the public.
Wine tourists can book the ‘Estate Experience’, priced at $100 per person, which includes a small group tasting, vineyard tour, plus an insight into Signorello’s ambitious rebuilding plans, according to the statement.
Signorello hopes that the new venture sends a clear message to the public that the winery is open for business, despite suffering devastating fire damage eight months ago. The modular building will serve as Signorello’s home for as long as the winery takes to be fully rebuilt, which could be up to three years, according to a press release from the estate.
Signorello Jr lost his personal wine library in the fire, but the estate’s 2017 vintage survived intact in the property’s tank farm, and the in-barrel 2016 vintage also escaped the flames.
Celebrate Bastille Day, France's Independence Day with us!
Enjoy fabulous classic French wines from the Loire Valley, specially chosen from Jon David Henrick Selections!
Saturday, July 14 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
$79 per person / $69 Club Members
Call today to make your reservations! 858-450-9557
We have exciting news! We have a new addition!
The Sparkling Champagne Club
The Sparkling Champagne Club is a newly launched bi-monthly club offering anywhere between 1-3 bottles every other month (6 shipments a year). The number of bottles will vary depending on what we are able to procure and how rare they are! It will be $100* every other month (on average). On occasion there may even be a rare vintage find or a Tête de Cuvee!
Our goal for our members is to experience everything from unique, small, family owned grower-producers to historically regaled larger producers from Champagne and beyond.
Through this bi-monthly journey into the world of Champagne and sparkling wine, club members will not only experience sparkling from the world renowned classic regions, but also lesser known hidden jewels. And of course, to realize that bubbly pairs with everything!
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right” - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Call or e-mail to join in this exciting new WineSellar Wine Club! 858.450.9557 winesellar@winesellar.com
2015 Stonestreet Chardonnay, Estate
Growing Region: Alexander Valley, Mayacamas, California
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: 11 Months, 39% New French Oak
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $40.00
WineSellar Club Price: $31.49
Critical Acclaim:
94 Points Wine Enthusiast
91 Points Robert Parker
91 Points Cellar Tracker
Broad Strokes:
From the Winery:
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards stand on the western ridge of the Mayacamas Mountains towering over the Alexander Valley below. As a blend of our best Chardonnay vineyard sites, the Estate bottling is one of the most compelling illustrations of the mountain. Winemaker Lisa Valtenbergs blends the wine with shrewd precision, balancing aromatic intrigue, texture and the Mayacamas’ signature structural elements into a pure reaction of the vintage.
Appearance:
Big, heavy, solid bottle, with a straightforward, very legible label. I like the subtle etching of the Mayacamas Mountains as well. The wine has a honey and lemon skin hue. It is quite viscous, and clings to the glass like 30 weight oil.
Nose:
Floral fragrances climb in the beginning, and give way to ripe apricots, tropical fruits, apple and pear, pineapple, white peach, toast, buttered popcorn, but most of all, butterscotch. A little note of ginger and spice carry on as well.
Texture:
The texture is rich and viscous, and the medium-bodied wine has an oily sort of palate feel. Quite creamy, plush, voluptuous, exuberant, and the wine features a commanding feel of sweet Chardonnay fruit.
Flavors:
Butterscotch dominates the flavor profile. A lot of people love this, almost Rombauer-like style of Chardonnay. The notes from the nose come through to the palate as well. To add a few comments, I enjoyed some complex spices, lemon meringue pie, and brioche.
Serving Suggestions:
Whatever you do with Chardonnay, you can do with this wine. White fish, fruit salads, cheeses, aperitif. Check out the nearly $10 off you get to enjoy!
2016 Capoccia, “Ciliegiolo”, Vignaioli del Morellino
Growing Region: Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
Varietal Composition: 90% Ciliegiolo, 10% Alicante
Fermentation: Large Fudors
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $18.00
WineSellar Club Price: $16.19
Broad Strokes:
Winemaker Sergio Bucci, from the province of Pisa, has a lifelong passion for Tuscan field blend varietals. Many of the obscure grapes in Tuscany can make exceptional wines on their own if they are understood properly — we want to give them proper respect, says Sergio. Now he presents their gorgeous Ciliegiolo, a varietal commonly blended into Chianti, but rarely seen on its own. It is lean and clean, with a high-energy mouth feel that leaves you wanting another sip. An amazing value that cries out for antipasti.
Appearance:
At first glance, many of us stateside would not understand what the words on the label mean. “Capoccia” is the name given the wine. “Ciliegiolo” is the grape varietal, Maremma Toscana is where it is from (Coastal Tuscany), and Vignaiolo del Morellino is the producer. Scansano is the name of the town where the winery is. The wine has a dark red color, not opaque, clearing on the edges to a brilliant and pretty crimson.
Nose:
Very interesting and slightly subdued nose of cherries and balsamic, cassis, bacon, smoke and maple syrup. There are lovely hints of fine, herbal essences to include tarragon and sage, and some floral notes, specifically violets and red roses.
Texture:
The wine is medium-to medium light in body. Nicely melded tannins blend well with the slightly muted fruit. Clean and even finish with a touch of astringency and cranberry acid that begs for food. Gets even more fleshy with 12-36 hours of air.
Flavors:
Cassis and cherry flavors are focused and intense, yet the wine still feels delicate. Some sodium and sea air in the mix with a lovely grapey quality. We also noted the maple syrup, bacon, smoke from the nose are evident, as well as cranberry, chocolate, and a touch of fresh mint.
Serving Suggestions:
Killer with cheeses, charcuterie, and all things Italian, such as pizza, pasta, breads salami . . .
2013 Dilecta Syrah, Shadow Canyon
Growing Region: Paso Robles, California
Varietal Composition: 100% Syrah
Fermentation: 30% New Oak
Alcohol Content: 15.3%
Suggested Retail: $45.00
WineSellar Club Price: $35.99
Critical Acclaim:
93 Points Wine Enthusiast
92 Points Cellar Tracker
90 Points Robert Parker
Broad Strokes:
Meaning “Lovely” in Latin, Dilecta was created in 2011 by Sommelier-turned-winemaker Orion Stang. Previously working as an assistant winemaker at Booker Vineyards, Orion is pulling some serious fruit from top vineyard sites throughout the Central Coast. The wines have scored well in critic’s ratings, and the label is on the rise. Watch out for future offerings! This 2013 Syrah comes from the cooler, wetter York Mountain on the western edge of Paso Robles
Appearance:
How could you ever miss that label? I love it! All Dilecta wines have brilliant, artistic, impactful labels on them. HEAR-HEAR! The wine has a dark purple color, that is just now taking on some signs of aging, as in becoming a little more dull than the fresh grape juice look.
Nose:
Dark berries, blackberry pie, plum, white pepper, coconut and spice. Interestingly, I got a touch of smoke and ash, volcanic stones and hot rocks. Could that be due to the fact I just got back from Hawaii? Anyway, it was a nostril opening experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Texture:
The wine is medium to medium full in body. Seamless, not tannic, but you know, and can feel, the acids holding the fruit together near perfectly. The finish is long and Dilectable.
Flavors:
The wine dramatically picks up flavors the longer it airs, even for a day or two. Dense red and black fruits, vanilla, tarragon, fresh herbs and underbrush, tilled earth, soy sauce, and some smoke and mineral.
Serving Suggestions:
I love this wine!!! As the song goes: It’s De-Licious, It’s De-Lightful, It’s De-Lovely!
2014 Chaix Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
Growing Region: Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation: 22 Months in 60% New Oak
Alcohol Content: 14.9%
Suggested Retail: $80.00
WineSellar Club Price: $67.49
Critical Acclaim:
97 Points Alex Casella, WSET Advanced
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck
Broad Strokes:
From the Winery: Chaix Wines (pronounced like ‘checks’) is a partnership between Kathy and her brother John Chaix. The focus of their efforts is on a historic 37 property planted to nearly 34 acres of vines – all to Cabernet Sauvignon (several different clones). The vineyard is separated into 7 unique blocks. This is prime Rutherford terroir – nearby neighbors include a Phelps Vineyard, Inglenook, Scarecrow’s ‘ancient’ Cabernet Sauvignon vines, Staglin, Swanson and the acclaimed Morisoli Vineyard. The focus is simple – hand craft a single wine, from a single varietal (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) from grapes sourced from the same block on their Rutherford property every year. 450 cases produced.
Appearance:
Read the back label for a very nice, informative short story. The guy in the picture is their Great-Grandfather, which is both touching and distinctive. The wine is very dark purple-red, solid in the middle and still dark to the edges.
Nose:
Winery describes the nose as “power and elegance rolled into one”, to which I totally agree. Blue and black fruits abound, along with some of the typical Rutherford AVA characteristic of “dust”. Cassis, blackberry, blueberry pie is backed by spicy oak, anise, milk chocolate, dark plum, and rosemary. Just delicious!
Texture:
Balanced on the palate with good concentration. The tannins are present, but in no way are they rough, rather as they should be, firm, polished, holding the wine steady. Overall it has an excellent feeling in the mouth.
Flavors:
The blackberry and blueberry elements shine brightly in the flavor profile. Sweet and spicy vanilla oak, Asian spices, along with nutmeg and cinnamon, smoky wood toast, plum, rosemary. The finish is very long and satisfying.
Serving Suggestions:
The wine is a classic, and belongs in our wine cellars for another couple of decades. For current drinking, how about a nice grilled steak with mushrooms? Yes Please!!!
Lamb Chops with Balsamic Reduction
Here is a relatively simple recipe that greatly rewards your minimal efforts, provided you buy the best lamb chops available.
Serves four.
Match with the 2013 Dilecta Syrah Shadow Canyon
Ingredients
- 3/4 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 8 lamb chops (3/4 inch thick)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup minced shallots
- 2/3 cup aged balsamic vinegar
- 5 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- In a small bowl or cup, mix together the rosemary, basil, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Rub this mixture onto the lamb chops on both sides.
- Place them on a plate, cover and set aside for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place lamb chops in the skillet, and cook for about 3 1/2 minutes per side for medium rare, or continue to cook to your desired doneness.
- Remove from the skillet, and keep warm on a serving platter.
- Add shallots to the skillet, and cook for a few minutes, just until browned. Stir in vinegar, scraping any bits of lamb from the bottom of the skillet, then stir in the chicken broth.
- Continue to cook and stir over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has reduced by half.
- Remove from heat, and stir in the butter.
- Pour over the lamb chops, and serve.
NV Champagne LeComte Pere et Fils, Blanc de Blancs
Growing Region: Vinay, Champagne
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: 3 years minimum aging
Dosage: 9 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12%
Suggested Retail: $64.99
WineSellar Club Price: $58.99
Broad Strokes:
From the Winery:
A family owned Champagne house dating back to the 1800’s located at the doorsteps to Epernay within the Marne. Champagne LeComte was founded by Jerome LeComte and carried on by his son Gaston and wife Renee. It then continued with their son Serge whom had spent time working with Champagne Mumm but left to take over the family’s business in 1971 upon his father’s passing. Since 1992 Serge’s son, Dosythee, his wife Ghislaine and their two sons have been working daily from the land to selling their Champagne which was just recently introduced to the US market in 2017.
Appearance:
Pale gold color, brilliant, with dynamic bubbles.
Nose:
Fresh, pure, brioche, butter, and toast. A freshly cut crisp green apple. White flowers.
Texture:
This is a Champagne for the true Blanc de Blancs lover. The acid is bright and opens this Champagne up to a plethora of options for pairing from the classic shellfish to a richer dish as a beautiful foil.
Flavors:
Finesse. Lightness, with aromas of brioche, butter, and toast. The crisp green apple continues to make an appearance on the palate. There is also a wonderful note of salinity.
Serving Suggestions:
Caviar! Shellfish! Oysters would be perfection!
NV Champagne LeComte Pere et Fils, Brut Rosé
Growing Region: Vinay, Champagne
Varietal Composition: 80% Pinot Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
Fermentation: 3 years minimum aging
Dosage: 9 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12%
Suggested Retail: $62.99
WineSellar Club Price: $56.99
Broad Strokes:
From the Winery:
A family owned Champagne house dating back to the 1800’s located at the doorsteps to Epernay within the Marne. Champagne LeComte was founded by Jerome LeComte and carried on by his son Gaston and wife Renee. It then continued with their son Serge whom had spent time working with Champagne Mumm but left to take over the family’s business in 1971 upon his father’s passing. Since 1992 Serge’s son, Dosythee, his wife Ghislaine and their two sons have been working daily from the land to selling their Champagne which was just recently introduced to the US market in 2017.
Appearance:
Brilliant, deep pink and delicate with fine bubbles.
Nose:
Fresh. Expressive with aromatics of red fruits; raspberries, cherries, and strawberries. Red roses.
Texture:
The decadent bubbles from this Champagne tickle your tongue and please your palate. The best way to describe it is that it is downright delicious!
Flavors:
Generous red fruit without being sweet, notes of strawberries, raspberries, Bing cherries, red currants and even a little pie crust.
Serving Suggestions:
This Rosé Champagne drinks dangerously well on its own, especially on a warm day! For a daring pairing, try it with spicy tuna sushi! Brilliant!