Wine Club August Newsletter

Welcome to a new month, and to your
August Newsletter!

First things first. Your third quarter
STOCK UP DAY is actually two days,
the weekend of September 7 and 8.
This is when you get 10% off everything
in the shop. Put those dates on your
calendar!!

Your Wine Pick-up Party this month will
be on the FIRST TUESDAY, August 6th,
anytime from 5-9 pm. We’ll have both
the Silver and Gold level wines available
to taste, and doing so costs you nothing.

Congratulations to our August winner of the
monthly free bottle, Bruce McGrath.
Bruce, you may choose any past or present
Silver Level bottle.

As for the wines, we’ll start with Silver Level:

The 2011 Papa’s All Blacks old vine red blend
from California’s North Coast. A new project
by Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock and his
father, Sonoma winemaking legend (and founder
of Ravenswood) Joel Peterson, this earned 93
points from Wine Spectator:

“A powerhouse and altogether distinctive, with deep
aromas of briary blueberry and smoky tar that lead
to layered, appealingly rustic huckleberry, sage and
white pepper flavors wrapped in muscular tannins.
Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet and Petite Sirah. Best
from 2013 through 2017. 92 cases made.”
For your second Silver selection, we’ve made
the highly unusual move of choosing a white.
Don’t panic. This one is well worth your
attention!

It’s the 2009 Kilikanoon Mort’s Block dry
Riesling from Clare Valley, Australia. This has
received 94 points from James Halliday, and 91
points each from Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate,
and Wine & Spirits. This note is from the Advocate:

“The winery has always excelled with Riesling from
the Clare Valley. It is light straw-colored with a
splendid nose of mineral, spring flowers, lemon-lime
and other citrus aromas that jump from the glass.
Reminiscent of a high quality Mosel Kabinett, it will
evolve for 5-6 years and drink well through 2021.”

And now, the Gold Level Wines.
First we offer the delicious 2009 Merlot from
our friends at Keenan Winery, which received
91 points from Wine Advocate:

“There is an immediacy and a juiciness in the 2009
that is highly appealing. Hints of sweet tobacco,
crushed flowers and incense are layered into the
expressive finish. The tannins remain polished
within the context of the estate’s finest wines.
The Merlot is made from a combination of Spring
Mountain and Carneros fruit.”

Finally, you may enjoy the 2010 L’Aventure
Optimus from Paso Robles, boasting a 92
point score from Stephen Tanzer:

“This is an inky purple blend of 55% syrah,
27% cabernet sauvignon and 18% petit verdot.
Ripe dark berry and cherry aromas are complicated
by musky underbrush and anise. Round, juicy
blackberry and cassis flavors stain the palate,
with juicy acidity providing verve. Becomes spicier
and more vibrant on the gently tannic finish, with the
dark berry and anise notes repeating.”
Again, all four of these wines will be available
for you to taste on Tuesday, August 6. Please
come give them a try!

That’s the saga of August. Have a great month!