April 2014 Table Club & Cru Club Selections

Table Club

Accattoli Verdicchio di Matelica
2012 Italy

Verdicchio is a grape that can be viewed as symbol for the Marche.  It is believed to be native to this region, and was mentioned in documents as early as the 14th century. Of the two appellations, Jesi and Matelica, we prefer the latter, which produces a firmer more aromatic wine.  The Accattoli winery nestled in the hills bordering Umbria, made this fabulous wine.

Front Label Translation:  " In the charming hills of Metalica, or Verdicchio is born, an ancient symbol of the Marche. The grapes are harvested at the end of October and vinified in a traditional manner. The wine has a straw yellow color with green reflections ......."

Tasting notes: Bright, lemony fruit with a creamy mouthfeel finishing with a refreshing crisp acidity.

Source: jgwines.com

Fabre Montmayou Rose
2013, Argentina

Crafted with European styling this is perfect for grilled summer fare. Only 1,000 cases made of this Malbec and Merlot blend, which underwent a short eight hour maceration. The nose gives off intense, creamy fruit and hints of tobacco and earth. In the mouth rich layered ripe and chewy sour fruit (cassis, blackberry, and dark cherry) with a hint of earth. Complex bouquet of alpine strawberries, orange rind, and mineral, with fleshy peach and berry notes on the palate. Lively acid on the attack, fuzzy tannins on the tongue. The wine finishes dry, with balanced acidity.

Source:  finewineandgoodspirits.com

Anciano Tempranillo 
Spain

Anciano Aged 10 Years rated 90 Points (2001, 2000, 1998 vintages) - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate “...a silky textured wine with savory flavors, excellent balance, and no hard edges.

Source:  ancianowine.com

M Malbec
2012, France

Deep colored, the nose shows sweet blackberry fruits, violets, and a hint of licorice.  The palate is quite full with sweet dark fruits and ripe tannins. Partner with grilled steak and rich casseroles.

Source: wineutopia.co.uk

CRU Club Selections

Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant, 2007, Central Coast, CA

The newly released cuvée is the 23rd edition of Le Cigare Volant, and it certainly shows the family flavor profile of red fruits, herbal, and earthy notes in a savory, medium-bodied package. Bright ruby red with a pale purplish rim, it offers cherry aromas with a bit of spice, menthol, sassafras, and black pepper. On the palate there is fresh cherry, pomegranate, and red bramble fruit. The wine is peppery and lively with good acidity around an earthy, savory core.

A blend of grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre with just a soupçon of cinsault makes for a bright and wonderfully gamey wine. The chief red in residence, grenache, derives primarily from our traditional Biodynamic® grenache source from Alta Loma Vineyard in Monterey County. This is supplemented with a smidge of our own Estate grenache, adding a discreet spiciness to the attraction. The syrah is principally sourced from Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, which produces the closest analogue we have found to a Northern Rhône syrah—tannic and meaty in the lower registers; peppery, fruitful, and delicately floral in the top, all the while showing great balance and harmony. A group of non-irrigated, centenarian Contra Costa vineyards has provided mourvèdre for Cigare for many years. Finally, a dollop of cinsault provides a very particular fragrance of flowers and aromatic herbs.

While the zesty and youthful '07 is excellent right now, aging it for 2-3 more years would be all to the good. We recommend a gentle decanting before consumption.

Source:  bonnydoonvineyard.com

Guido Sangiovese, 2010 Walla Walla, WA

Tastes of tobacco, tiny Italian cherries, leather, and anise. Tannins a plenty, tastes great with grilled Italian sausage, peppers and onions.

Source:  charlessmithwines.com