Wine Club Newsletter December 2017

My goodness, this year has flown by, right?  We sincerely hope this

final month of 2017 finds you well.  We intend to help you make the

most of it, starting with your terrific Club wines.  First, some info.

Your Pick-up Party, which is your opportunity to taste all 4

Club wines for free, falls on Tuesday, 12/5, from 5-9.

The monthly BOTTLE WINNER is Bruce Brady.  Congrats!

Now let’s get to the wines, Silver first.  The 2015 Catena Cabernet

from Mendoza in Argentina got 90 points from Wine Advocate.

On the nose, it offers intense aromas of ripe raspberries and cassis

with notes of pepper, clove, and a touch of cedar. On the palate, it is

full-bodied and rich and displays layers of black currant and black

raspberry with notes of cedar and oregano.

The 2016 Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone is a terrific everyday wine

from one of the most highly regarded producers in France’s Rhone Valley.

89 points Wine Advocate:

“It’s mostly Syrah, blended from vineyards in Vinsobres and the Gard,

offering lovely floral and peppery aromas, dark fruits, medium to full body

and a softly dusty finish. It should drink well for 6 years.”

Now for the Goldies, which are two delicious California wines.  The 2015

Quilt Cabernet from Napa Valley is a new project from Joe Wagner, and

the wine’s resemblance to Caymus Napa Cab (made by Joe’s father

Chuck) is uncanny.

On the nose, it offers a seamless blend of creme de cassis, hazelnut,

cocoa, blackberry preserves, charred meat, and blackberry pie along

with suggestions of dark licorice, stewed rhubarb, strawberry, spice, and

vanillin. It is rich and satisfying with chocolate brownie, yogurt, molasses,

brown sugar and rhubarb notes presented in perfect balance on the palate.

Finally, you have the 2013 Paring Red from Jonata Winery.  90 points

Antonio Galloni.