Holiday Market Wine
THE SILVER CLUB RED ONLY
MARCH 2023 WINES
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Cline Farmhouse Red Blend
-
Line 39 Petite Sirah
-
Susana Balbo CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon
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Bodegas San Gregorio Anciano Old Vine Garnacha
-
Drei Donà Le Vie Nuove Sangiovese
-
KWV Classic Collection Pinotage
Cline Farmhouse Red Blend
2020 | $10.99
DESCRIPTION
We are a family-owned winery in the Sonoma Heartland. Our dad, Fred started Cline Family Cellars in 1982 in Oakley, California, making his first vintages from original plantings of Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Carignane, some of which dated back to the 1880s.
In 1989, he and our mom Nancy, purchased a 350-acre horse farm in Sonoma-Carneros and moved the winery here. This is where we were raised.
Our dad was one of the original Rhone Rangers and began planting vineyards dedicated to Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Since those first plantings, our family has continued to plant vineyards throughout Sonoma County, expanding to include more classic varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
We focus on making the best blends possible for our farmhouse wines by allowing the grapes to tell their story, blending each varietal to highlight the best that mother nature offers from each vintage.
Blending adds more complexity and makes for more balanced and well-rounded wines. We look to maximize the expression of each varietal to form a cohesive and delicious wine.
Our winemaker, Tom Gendall, allows grapes to tell their story. He doesn’t over-oak or manipulate the wines. Instead, Tom uses blending to highlight and showcase the best that mother nature offers from each vintage.
Cline Farmhouse Red Blend 2020
The Farmhouse California Red 2020 is a blend of zinfandel, mourvedre, carignane, syrah, petite sirah, and grenache sourced from vineyards in California. The blend was aged with French oak (40% new oak) for 8 months.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Plum, chocolate, and berry notes.
PALATE: Medium-bodied, luscious red wine with nicely balanced acidity and a smooth, rich finish.
PAIRING: Beef, BBQ, veal and lamb.
Line 39 Petite Sirah
2018 | $9.99
DESCRIPTION
What's the difference between Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah? Syrah, also called Shiraz, is a completely different grape varietal than Petite Sirah. Petite Sirah, which is another name for the Durif grape, is actually much darker and more tannic than Syrah. Named "petite" because of its small grapes, it is the offspring of Syrah and Peloursin grapes. Syrah comes from Frances Rhone Valley, whereas Petite Sirah grapes are a French creation. Syrah is typically more moderate with acidity and tannins, whereas Petite Sirah has a bolder boasting rich full flavor and powerfully dense tannins.
Line 39 Petite Sirah 2018
The 39th parallel runs through the heart of Northern California’s wine country just north of Napa Valley and has always provided rich tradition, inspiration, and grapes. Crafting high quality, true-to-nature wines starts with good grapes. And good grapes come from our lasting relationships with California’s premier growers, many of whom come from the region our wine is named after.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas and flavors of chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and rich blue fruit.
PALATE: The mid-palate is driven by mocha notes that carry through to the long, luxurious finish.
PAIRING: Ribeye steak, slow roasted pork shoulder, pasta alla carbonara, 70% or more dark chocolate, aged and smoked cheese.
Susana Balbo CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 | $15.99
DESCRIPTION
Born into a traditional family, Susana’s inquiring spirit and strong beliefs led her to choose an unconventional career for a woman of her time. In 1981, she graduated cum laude and became the first female enologist of Argentina.
At the beginning of her career, she faced some difficulties finding a job in Mendoza. Nevertheless, her will and determination took her to Cafayate, Salta, where she was hired to run the Sucesión Michel Torino winery, a huge, defying task for a young, single female winemaker in an industry that was run by men at the time. There, she took on the challenge of redefining Torrontes and turning it into a classy, elegant wine. Her innovative work and progress, as well as the quality of the wines she produced during that time, earned her a nickname, “Queen of Torrontes”, that she proudly carries until today.
After a few years serving as a consultant and working for some other important wineries such as Martins and Catena Zapata, in 1999, Susana decided to take a leap of faith and founded her own winery, thus achieving her lifelong dream of creating her own wines according to her vision and perspective.
CRIOS was born out of Susana Balbo’s love for her children and desire to forge a legacy for her family, helping them navigate their own life journeys with lessons learned from a lifetime of trailblazing entrepreneurship. The iconic handprint logo on each CRIOS bottle symbolizes the family bond and illustrates hands as powerful tools for mothers, allowing them to hold, to provide warmth, to nourish, and to comfort, as well as to teach the next generation the skills and wisdom achieved.
Susana Balbo CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
CRIOS cabernet is hand harvested, macerated for 25 days, and experiences pump-overs in several stages of fermentation, as well as delestage. It is aged seven months in third to fifth-use French oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas of ripe plum, currant, fresh cherries, espresso and mocha tinged with spice, herbal notes, and smoke.
PALATE: Black fruits, especially blueberries, as well as black pepper stand out harmoniously. The ripe and vibrant tannins provide an elegant structure and a long and persistent finish.
PAIRING: Roasted or grilled meats, empanadas, and chili.
FUN FACTS: Wine Advocate Magazine ~ 90 Points
Bodegas San Gregorio Anciano Old Vine Garnacha
2016 | $9.99
DESCRIPTION
Bodega San Gregorio was founded in 1965 by a group of about 30 winegrowers in Cervera de la Cañada and belongs to the Calatayud Denomination of Origin (the governing organization overseeing wine production in Spain). In this territory, located in the foothills of the Iberian System, is where they select the best grapes from the Ribota and Manubles valleys, the westernmost area of the denomination. They have 700 hectares of crops located in the surroundings of Cervera, surrounding the Sierra de Armantes ridge.
Their average production is around two million kilos of grapes. In red grapes, the Garnacha variety predominates, along with Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In white grapes the Macabeo. They export a good part of our production to the most demanding markets.
The cultivation of the vine in the area dates back to at least the second century BC, documented after the discovery of a winery in the Celtiberian site of Segeda, located between the municipalities of Belmonte de Gracián and Mara, just 20 km from Cervera. The first written reference to the high quality of the wines of the area dates back to the first century.
Bodegas San Gregorio Anciano Old Vine Garnacha 2016
If you like your wines big, bold and full of flavor then look no further! This wine comes from the collaboration of World class winemakers and local knowledge to produce a fruit driven wine typical of the Calatayud area, which encapsulates all the ruggedness, concentration, and character of the old vine fruit.
This wine is 100% garnacha grapes from vines with an average age of over 35 years are grown on chalk and clay soils at analtitude of 2000-3000 feet. The combination of free draining soils, minimal rainfall and unique microclimate all add to the excellent color and distinctive varietal aromas. The grapes are hand harvested, crushed and destemmed. Temperature controlled fermentation takes place for 7 days followed by a short maceration. 15% of the wine is matured in American and French oak for 4 months before bottling.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Pronounced intense aromas of fresh raspberry and cherry, combine with more complex aromas of prune, earthy notes, and sweet spice.
PALATE: Full bodied on the palate with flavors of soft raspberry and wild berries that lead to a long spicy finish
PAIRING: Drink with Tapas, barbequed foods, lamb and duck.
FUN FACTS: Decanter World Wine Awards ~ 90 Points
Gilbert & Gaillard ~ 91 Points
Drei Donà Le Vie Nuove Sangiovese
2018 | $15.99
DESCRIPTION
The Drei Donà estate is located on the ancient Romagna hills between the towns of Forlì, Castrocaro and Predappio. The ‘La Palazza’ farmhouse was built around a watchtower constructed by Caterina Sforza in 1481 -- in a strategic position on the gentle slopes of Massa di Vecchiazzano to defend her lands.
The property has been in the hands of the Drei Donà family since the last century, and although it has always been dedicated to producing sangiovese grapes, it has undergone a radical transformation under the present owner, Count Claudio Drei Donà.
After acquiring a law degree and working in the insurance industry, Count Drei Donà, together with his son Enrico, has dedicated his efforts solely to the property, decisively guiding its activities towards increasingly high objectives.
Most of the 23 hectares of vineyards are planted with sangiovese grapes, which were indigenous to the property. These old vines have been studied, selected and propagated to maintain La Palazza’s original clones.
The Drei Donà philosophy is based upon the belief that wines must be the most faithful expression of the terroir they come from and thus the respect for the estate’s unique terroir guides all aspects of the production.
The winery's working philosophy is extremely strict: the wines that Drei Donà produces are the result of exacting standards first in the vineyard, and then in the cellar. In this way, the winery starts with the highest quality grapes, and ferments and ages them in modern cellars to produce a wine that is a true expression of the Massa di Vecchiazzano Romagnan terroir. The winery also produces two aged grappas and an extra-virgin olive oil.
Drei Donà is universally recognized as a reference for sangiovese, which finds its most typical expression here. Their selection of sangiovese comes from careful research and restoration of the historical sangiovese clones.
Drei Donà Le Vie Nuove Sangiovese 2018
This wine is a blend of 90% sangiovese and 10% indigenous red grape varieties. It goes through alcoholic fermentation in stainless-steel tanks for 7-10 days and subsequently malolactic fermentation. After the end of fermentation, Le Vie Nuove Sangiovese remains on the lees for 48 months. Lees aging is the process of letting wines mature and age on top of spent yeast.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Fruit and floral bouquet with aromas of rose, cherry, violet, raspberry and light notes of spices and herbs.
PALATE: Notes of sour cherry, blackcurrant, and raspberry with a fruity texture and young pleasant tannins.
PAIRING: Beef, pasta, lamb, game, and a great partner for BBQ.
FUN FACTS: Just a note to explain the names of the wines: they all come from the names of the horses that the Drei Donà family also breeds on the farm.
KWV Classic Collection Pinotage
2019 | $11.99
DESCRIPTION
KWV is a pioneering cellar in Paarl, South Africa and actively involved in the farming and vineyard practices of 54 farms across various regions in the Western Cape.
KWV’s cellar facilities are situated in Paarl in the Cape Winelands and cover approximately 32 hectares. Its impressive Cathedral Cellar built in 1930 remains the heart of its wine production activities. KWV’s flexibility and ability to source the building blocks for its wines from various vineyard sites is a key KWV strength and competitive advantage: due to its ability to source from diverse geographic regions its cellars produce wine that consistently delivers on quality.
This legacy has its roots in a history dating back to 1918, when KWV was founded by a group of South African wine farmers who were driven to secure a successful and profitable future for the country’s grape growers. Its viticulture team oversees the planting, planning and vineyard managing of approximately 420 different vineyards, equating to 1200 hectares of vines.
Pinotage is South Africa's very own grape and a must-try for anyone looking to expand their viticultural horizons. The grape is a genetic cross between picky Pinot Noir and prolific Cinsault, aka Hermitage. It was created by scientist Abraham Perold in 1925 at Stellenbosch University, Pinotage was made by and for South Africa. These small, thick-skinned grapes create deep, inky wines with distinct, bold flavors.
KWV Classic Collection Pinotage 2019
This wine is 100% Pinotage grapes. It was aged in oak for eight to ten months.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas of blackcurrant, vanilla, plums and wild berries.
PALATE: Black and purple fruit notes like blackberry, plum, blackcurrant, figs, maybe even a slight touch of banana. A bottle of Pinotage can be drunk young but becomes especially good with a bit of age as the flavors soften and deepen. Aged Pinotage displays hints of smoke, hoisin sauce, tobacco, bacon, and grilled meats mingled with dark fruit notes.
PAIRING: This is a wine that goes great with the charred smokiness of a summer BBQ. Pinotage loves grilled lamb and veggies, a burger, beef, creamy risotto, or a creamy plate of vegetarian dhaal.
APRIL 2023 WINES
Cline Farmhouse Red Blend
2020 | $10.99
DESCRIPTION
We are a family-owned winery in the Sonoma Heartland. Our dad, Fred started Cline Family Cellars in 1982 in Oakley, California, making his first vintages from original plantings of Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Carignane, some of which dated back to the 1880s.
In 1989, he and our mom Nancy, purchased a 350-acre horse farm in Sonoma-Carneros and moved the winery here. This is where we were raised.
Our dad was one of the original Rhone Rangers and began planting vineyards dedicated to Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Since those first plantings, our family has continued to plant vineyards throughout Sonoma County, expanding to include more classic varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
We focus on making the best blends possible for our farmhouse wines by allowing the grapes to tell their story, blending each varietal to highlight the best that mother nature offers from each vintage.
Blending adds more complexity and makes for more balanced and well-rounded wines. We look to maximize the expression of each varietal to form a cohesive and delicious wine.
Our winemaker, Tom Gendall, allows grapes to tell their story. He doesn’t over-oak or manipulate the wines. Instead, Tom uses blending to highlight and showcase the best that mother nature offers from each vintage.
Cline Farmhouse Red Blend 2020
The Farmhouse California Red 2020 is a blend of zinfandel, mourvedre, carignane, syrah, petite sirah, and grenache sourced from vineyards in California. The blend was aged with French oak (40% new oak) for 8 months.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Plum, chocolate, and berry notes.
PALATE: Medium-bodied, luscious red wine with nicely balanced acidity and a smooth, rich finish.
PAIRING: Beef, BBQ, veal and lamb.
Line 39 Petite Sirah
2018 | $9.99
DESCRIPTION
What's the difference between Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah? Syrah, also called Shiraz, is a completely different grape varietal than Petite Sirah. Petite Sirah, which is another name for the Durif grape, is actually much darker and more tannic than Syrah. Named "petite" because of its small grapes, it is the offspring of Syrah and Peloursin grapes. Syrah comes from Frances Rhone Valley, whereas Petite Sirah grapes are a French creation. Syrah is typically more moderate with acidity and tannins, whereas Petite Sirah has a bolder boasting rich full flavor and powerfully dense tannins.
Line 39 Petite Sirah 2018
The 39th parallel runs through the heart of Northern California’s wine country just north of Napa Valley and has always provided rich tradition, inspiration, and grapes. Crafting high quality, true-to-nature wines starts with good grapes. And good grapes come from our lasting relationships with California’s premier growers, many of whom come from the region our wine is named after.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas and flavors of chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and rich blue fruit.
PALATE: The mid-palate is driven by mocha notes that carry through to the long, luxurious finish.
PAIRING: Ribeye steak, slow roasted pork shoulder, pasta alla carbonara, 70% or more dark chocolate, aged and smoked cheese.
Susana Balbo CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 | $15.99
DESCRIPTION
Born into a traditional family, Susana’s inquiring spirit and strong beliefs led her to choose an unconventional career for a woman of her time. In 1981, she graduated cum laude and became the first female enologist of Argentina.
At the beginning of her career, she faced some difficulties finding a job in Mendoza. Nevertheless, her will and determination took her to Cafayate, Salta, where she was hired to run the Sucesión Michel Torino winery, a huge, defying task for a young, single female winemaker in an industry that was run by men at the time. There, she took on the challenge of redefining Torrontes and turning it into a classy, elegant wine. Her innovative work and progress, as well as the quality of the wines she produced during that time, earned her a nickname, “Queen of Torrontes”, that she proudly carries until today.
After a few years serving as a consultant and working for some other important wineries such as Martins and Catena Zapata, in 1999, Susana decided to take a leap of faith and founded her own winery, thus achieving her lifelong dream of creating her own wines according to her vision and perspective.
CRIOS was born out of Susana Balbo’s love for her children and desire to forge a legacy for her family, helping them navigate their own life journeys with lessons learned from a lifetime of trailblazing entrepreneurship. The iconic handprint logo on each CRIOS bottle symbolizes the family bond and illustrates hands as powerful tools for mothers, allowing them to hold, to provide warmth, to nourish, and to comfort, as well as to teach the next generation the skills and wisdom achieved.
Susana Balbo CRIOS Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
CRIOS cabernet is hand harvested, macerated for 25 days, and experiences pump-overs in several stages of fermentation, as well as delestage. It is aged seven months in third to fifth-use French oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas of ripe plum, currant, fresh cherries, espresso and mocha tinged with spice, herbal notes, and smoke.
PALATE: Black fruits, especially blueberries, as well as black pepper stand out harmoniously. The ripe and vibrant tannins provide an elegant structure and a long and persistent finish.
PAIRING: Roasted or grilled meats, empanadas, and chili.
FUN FACTS: Wine Advocate Magazine ~ 90 Points
Bodegas San Gregorio Anciano Old Vine Garnacha
2016 | $9.99
DESCRIPTION
Bodega San Gregorio was founded in 1965 by a group of about 30 winegrowers in Cervera de la Cañada and belongs to the Calatayud Denomination of Origin (the governing organization overseeing wine production in Spain). In this territory, located in the foothills of the Iberian System, is where they select the best grapes from the Ribota and Manubles valleys, the westernmost area of the denomination. They have 700 hectares of crops located in the surroundings of Cervera, surrounding the Sierra de Armantes ridge.
Their average production is around two million kilos of grapes. In red grapes, the Garnacha variety predominates, along with Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In white grapes the Macabeo. They export a good part of our production to the most demanding markets.
The cultivation of the vine in the area dates back to at least the second century BC, documented after the discovery of a winery in the Celtiberian site of Segeda, located between the municipalities of Belmonte de Gracián and Mara, just 20 km from Cervera. The first written reference to the high quality of the wines of the area dates back to the first century.
Bodegas San Gregorio Anciano Old Vine Garnacha 2016
If you like your wines big, bold and full of flavor then look no further! This wine comes from the collaboration of World class winemakers and local knowledge to produce a fruit driven wine typical of the Calatayud area, which encapsulates all the ruggedness, concentration, and character of the old vine fruit.
This wine is 100% garnacha grapes from vines with an average age of over 35 years are grown on chalk and clay soils at analtitude of 2000-3000 feet. The combination of free draining soils, minimal rainfall and unique microclimate all add to the excellent color and distinctive varietal aromas. The grapes are hand harvested, crushed and destemmed. Temperature controlled fermentation takes place for 7 days followed by a short maceration. 15% of the wine is matured in American and French oak for 4 months before bottling.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Pronounced intense aromas of fresh raspberry and cherry, combine with more complex aromas of prune, earthy notes, and sweet spice.
PALATE: Full bodied on the palate with flavors of soft raspberry and wild berries that lead to a long spicy finish
PAIRING: Drink with Tapas, barbequed foods, lamb and duck.
FUN FACTS: Decanter World Wine Awards ~ 90 Points
Gilbert & Gaillard ~ 91 Points
Drei Donà Le Vie Nuove Sangiovese
2018 | $15.99
DESCRIPTION
The Drei Donà estate is located on the ancient Romagna hills between the towns of Forlì, Castrocaro and Predappio. The ‘La Palazza’ farmhouse was built around a watchtower constructed by Caterina Sforza in 1481 -- in a strategic position on the gentle slopes of Massa di Vecchiazzano to defend her lands.
The property has been in the hands of the Drei Donà family since the last century, and although it has always been dedicated to producing sangiovese grapes, it has undergone a radical transformation under the present owner, Count Claudio Drei Donà.
After acquiring a law degree and working in the insurance industry, Count Drei Donà, together with his son Enrico, has dedicated his efforts solely to the property, decisively guiding its activities towards increasingly high objectives.
Most of the 23 hectares of vineyards are planted with sangiovese grapes, which were indigenous to the property. These old vines have been studied, selected and propagated to maintain La Palazza’s original clones.
The Drei Donà philosophy is based upon the belief that wines must be the most faithful expression of the terroir they come from and thus the respect for the estate’s unique terroir guides all aspects of the production.
The winery's working philosophy is extremely strict: the wines that Drei Donà produces are the result of exacting standards first in the vineyard, and then in the cellar. In this way, the winery starts with the highest quality grapes, and ferments and ages them in modern cellars to produce a wine that is a true expression of the Massa di Vecchiazzano Romagnan terroir. The winery also produces two aged grappas and an extra-virgin olive oil.
Drei Donà is universally recognized as a reference for sangiovese, which finds its most typical expression here. Their selection of sangiovese comes from careful research and restoration of the historical sangiovese clones.
Drei Donà Le Vie Nuove Sangiovese 2018
This wine is a blend of 90% sangiovese and 10% indigenous red grape varieties. It goes through alcoholic fermentation in stainless-steel tanks for 7-10 days and subsequently malolactic fermentation. After the end of fermentation, Le Vie Nuove Sangiovese remains on the lees for 48 months. Lees aging is the process of letting wines mature and age on top of spent yeast.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Fruit and floral bouquet with aromas of rose, cherry, violet, raspberry and light notes of spices and herbs.
PALATE: Notes of sour cherry, blackcurrant, and raspberry with a fruity texture and young pleasant tannins.
PAIRING: Beef, pasta, lamb, game, and a great partner for BBQ.
FUN FACTS: Just a note to explain the names of the wines: they all come from the names of the horses that the Drei Donà family also breeds on the farm.
KWV Classic Collection Pinotage
2019 | $11.99
DESCRIPTION
KWV is a pioneering cellar in Paarl, South Africa and actively involved in the farming and vineyard practices of 54 farms across various regions in the Western Cape.
KWV’s cellar facilities are situated in Paarl in the Cape Winelands and cover approximately 32 hectares. Its impressive Cathedral Cellar built in 1930 remains the heart of its wine production activities. KWV’s flexibility and ability to source the building blocks for its wines from various vineyard sites is a key KWV strength and competitive advantage: due to its ability to source from diverse geographic regions its cellars produce wine that consistently delivers on quality.
This legacy has its roots in a history dating back to 1918, when KWV was founded by a group of South African wine farmers who were driven to secure a successful and profitable future for the country’s grape growers. Its viticulture team oversees the planting, planning and vineyard managing of approximately 420 different vineyards, equating to 1200 hectares of vines.
Pinotage is South Africa's very own grape and a must-try for anyone looking to expand their viticultural horizons. The grape is a genetic cross between picky Pinot Noir and prolific Cinsault, aka Hermitage. It was created by scientist Abraham Perold in 1925 at Stellenbosch University, Pinotage was made by and for South Africa. These small, thick-skinned grapes create deep, inky wines with distinct, bold flavors.
KWV Classic Collection Pinotage 2019
This wine is 100% Pinotage grapes. It was aged in oak for eight to ten months.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas of blackcurrant, vanilla, plums and wild berries.
PALATE: Black and purple fruit notes like blackberry, plum, blackcurrant, figs, maybe even a slight touch of banana. A bottle of Pinotage can be drunk young but becomes especially good with a bit of age as the flavors soften and deepen. Aged Pinotage displays hints of smoke, hoisin sauce, tobacco, bacon, and grilled meats mingled with dark fruit notes.
PAIRING: This is a wine that goes great with the charred smokiness of a summer BBQ. Pinotage loves grilled lamb and veggies, a burger, beef, creamy risotto, or a creamy plate of vegetarian dhaal.
FEBRUARY 2023 WINES
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BLACK CABRA MALBEC
-
COPPOLA MAMMARELLA RED BLEND
-
BODEGAS VOLVER 'TARIMA' MONASTRELL
-
ECHEVERRIA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET
-
CHATEAU LES MASSIOTS BORDEAUX
-
FIRESTEED PINOT NOIR
Black Cabra Malbec
MALBEC | 2020 | $9.99
DESCRIPTION
The Black Cabra (goat) is a common sight in the Argentine Andes where the winery and vineyards are located. These wines are produced from the estate vineyards and crafted in their state-of-the-art winery, Bodega Zolo, by winemaker Fabian Valenzuela and vineyard manager Carlos Correas. The President and Owner is Patricia Ortiz. Their wines are 100% sustainably farmed.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza is divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, it is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
Black Cabra Malbec 2020
This wine is 100% malbec grape that comes from 11-year-old vines that are hand-harvested. A cold pre-maceration takes place for 3 days to extract color and aromas. It is then fermented in stainless steel tanks for approximately 10-14 days in contact with French innerstaves. Then, it is bottled and aged for 6-8 months in oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas of black cherry, blueberry, and plum with a hint of leather, cedar, and smoke.
PALATE: Lush flavors of plums, strawberries, cherries,and a hint of vanilla with a fresh and balanced mouthfeel.
PAIRING: This wine will pair nicely with steak game, pork, and lamb as well as fattier fish like salmon.
FUN FACTS: James Suckling- 91 Points.
Lots of rich, ripe fruit, but in a balanced and serious way. Full-bodied with medium, round, and savory tannins and a delicious, juicy finish. Serious value. Drink or hold.
Best Buy, Wine & Spirits (’20)
Coppola Mammarella Red Blend
Red blend | 2018 | $12.99
DESCRIPTION
Francis Ford Coppola Winery was a family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of Sonoma County, the birthplace of the California wine industry. Situated in Alexander Valley, an appellation known for producing superior Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, Francis Ford Coppola Winery produced more than forty wines and entertained visitors in an inspiring vineyard setting.
In August 2021 the Delicato Family Vineyards announced the acquisition of the Francis Ford Coppola wine portfolio and two facilities anchored in Sonoma County, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery and the Virginia Dare Winery located in Geyserville.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas of bright fruit jam, violets, and spice notes.
PALATE: This wine is soft and round with integrated tannins, juicy, fruit-forward, and full of black cherries, red currants, strawberry jam, and plum with a hint of mocha.
PAIRING: Beef, lamb, and veal
Bodegas Volver ‘Tarima’ Monastrell
Monastrell | 2020 | $12.99
DESCRIPTION
The project of Bodegas Volver was founded in 2004 by Rafael Canizares, enologist through studies and viticulturist through his family tradition of four generations of winemaking. Their most prized asset are vines between 30 and 90 years old, and indigenous varieties cultivated in a sustainable way with minimal intervention.
Bodegas Volver ‘Tarima’ Monastrell 2020
This wine is 100% monastrell grape. The grape is also known as Mourvèdre or Mataro in other parts of the world. It is a prominent component of France’s Rhone blends called GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) Monastrell, according to wine expert Jancis Robinson, often have wild game or earthy notes with soft red fruit.
The grapes for ‘Tarima’ Monastrell are sorted meticulously at the winery, and fermented in stainless steel tanks by indigenous yeast. Malolactic fermentation occurs in tank, and the wine is transferred to second vintage French oak barrels for aging. In this case, the used barrels from the making of the previous year’s Tarima Hill wine. Then, it is aged for 6 months in second vintage French oak Bordelaise and Burgundy barrels.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Red raspberries, cooked cherries, plums, and mulberries show on the nose.
PALATE: The wine is a mix of black and red fruit wrapped in herbs, chocolate, and spice.
PAIRING: This medium to full-bodied wine has high tannins. It naturally pairs well with hearty and meaty dishes. For example: hamburgers, pizza, short ribs, veal, pork, lamb, sausage, game and grilled meats. It would be perfect for a barbecue.
FUN FACTS: James Suckling- 90 Points
Echeverria Gran Reserva Cabernet
Cabernet | 2018 | $10.99
DESCRIPTION
The vineyards at Vina Echeverria are in the Curico’ Valley and the rows are planted in an east-westerly direction to potentiate the sun’s exposure. They work with a model of micro viticulture, which means that each plot, no more than half a hectare, is identified according to its terroir and microclimate and planted, pruned, irrigated and harvested accordingly, resulting in grapes of optimum quality and flavor.
The Echeverria family came to Chile in the 1750s, from a little town called Amezqueta in the Basque region of Spain. They established agricultural properties in the north of Santiago, where they planted vineyards, among other crops.
Some 200 years later in 1930, Roger Piffre de Vauban, a French engineer from Montpellier, and Roberto Echeverria’s maternal grandfather, traveled to Chile and hence to Chile’s Curico’ Valley some 200m south of the capital Santiago. Here he planted ungrafted vines from pre- phylloxera French origin on an expanse of land called La Estancia, in a little town called Molina. He established there what, at the time, was a frontier technology winery with French equipment and machinery brought directly from France. Its aim was to supply high quality wines for the domestic market.
Today Vina Echeverria is still a family-owned and managed estate winery with Roberto Echeverria as President, and its vineyards and house occupy the same location as they did nearly 100 years ago. The 65 hectares of sustainably farmed vineyards in Chile’s Central Valley are planted, tended, and harvested by the Echeverria family.
Echeverria Gran Reserva Cabernet 2018
The Gran Reserva cabernet is a dark and dusty garnet color made from 100% cabernet grapes from select vineyards that were hand-harvested and aged in French oak barrels between 10 and 12 months.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Intense aromas of red cherries and black pepper with a smoky, earthy background.
PALATE: In the mouth this wine is medium-bodied with fresh, mellow tannins, notes of black cassis, black cherry, and eucalyptus with a long and elegant finish.
PAIRING: Pot roast, steak, potatoes, and beef stew
FUN FACTS:
Vegetarian & Vegan
Tim Atkins Chilean Wines Report UK 90 Points – Echeverria Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Wine & Spirits Magazine- 90 Points – Echeverria Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Chateau Les Massiots Bordeaux
Bordeaux | 2019 | $11.99
DESCRIPTION
Monsieur Touton Selection Ltd. has its headquarters in Manhattan, New York. They are a global resource for 4000+ premium wine and spirits, sourcing from over 20 countries. Guillaume Touton founded his import and wholesale company Monsieur Touton Selection Ltd. 36 years ago. Chateau Les Massiots is located in Lamothe-Landerron, the vineyard covers 15 hectares, the vines are planted on clay-limestone hillsides.
Chateau Les Massiots Bordeaux 2019
This Bordeaux rouge is a blend of 65% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, and 5% cabernet franc. The vines average 20 years old. This medium-bodied wine is a beautiful balance of earth and fruit. This wine is considered a ‘Right Bank’ wine due to its dominant percentage of merlot. A ‘Left Bank’ wine would have a higher percentage of cabernet sauvignon.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Aromas of black currant, plum, and earthy notes of wet gravel.
PALATE: Bursting with mineral and fruit notes.
PAIRING: Charcuterie, red meats, roast lamb, venison, duck breast, and French Comte cheese.
Firesteed Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir | 2020 | $12.99
DESCRIPTION
Firesteed Cellars was founded in 1992. Firesteed opened its official winery and tasting room off the beaten path in Rickreall, Oregon in 2002, where production remains to this day.
Since its founding, the mission of Firesteed has been to create wines that represent the finest expression of varieties suited to the distinctive growing regions in Oregon, most notably Pinot Noir.
Firesteed Pinot Noir 2020
Despite the pandemic and weather-related challenges of 2020, this vintage of Firesteed Oregon Pinot Noir saw perfect growing conditions to fully ripen — low yields, concentrated fruit flavors and intense color and richness. They were very fortunate that their early ripening vineyards were harvested before the fires in Southern Oregon and the location of the primary Willamette Valley vineyards were far enough away to escape the damaging smoke. They are very proud of this 2020 Oregon Pinot Noir which is truly a product of the diverse growing regions of Oregon.
The 2020 Pinot Noir continues the Firesteed tradition of a consistent fruit-driven style, achieved with gentle techniques in the cellar and imagination in the vineyard. The grapes were fermented in a combination of small open top fermenters and stainless-steel fermenting tanks with selected yeasts propagated from cellars in Burgundy, France pressed during the last days of fermentation and racked as soon as the wine finished malolactic fermentation. Aging took place in a combination of small French oak barrels and larger stainless-steel tanks.
TASTING NOTES
NOSE: Ruby red in color with a lively pop of cherry on the nose, followed by earthy notes, toasted oak, and cedar.
PALATE: Flavors of cranberry and mouth watering acidity highlight the palate, which shows balanced fruit and has a smooth, lingering finish.
PAIRING: Pinot noir is a very versatile grape. It pairs well with fish (think salmon), chicken, red meat, mushroom risotto, and vegetable dishes.
CONTACT HOLIDAY MARKET WINE DEPARTMENT