Gary's Case Club provides you, the budding wine enthusiast, with a 12 bottle case of wine three times a year that will expand your palate and your enjoyment of wine from all over the world!
Grape variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Coast, California
Food pairing: Roasted salmon salad with fennel
The vineyards of California’s Central Coast are some of the up-and-coming vineyards for Pinot
Noir, and still at a price that’s a bit
more
approachable than those from the Sonoma Coast. Inception’s bottling of 2008 Pinot Noir hails from vineyards in seaside Mon
terey, the French Camp Vineyard in Paso Robles, and the Cottonwood Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. They aim for a Pinot that’s fruit-driven but still crafted in the
tradition of Burgundy, and with a nose that exhibits bright berry tone
s, yellow raspberry and wild strawberry with hints of cola, Earl Gray tea an
d sweet spice on the palate, I’d say they hit the nail on the head.
More Information: 2008 Inception Pinot Noir Central Coast
Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Napa Valley, California
Food pairing: Humboldt Fog California goat cheese
One of the original forefathers of Nappa winemaking was Gustav Neibaum, the great great grand-uncle of Robin Lail, steaward of Lail Vineyards. Neibaum founded Inglenook vineyards in
1879, making history in this still-young winemaking region. Today Robin carries the torch with Lail Vineyards where they make this Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc (an homage to her husband’s profession of architecture) from a single vineyard in St. Helena. With the help of well-known French winemaker Philippe Melka (Vineyard 29, Bryant, Melka Metisse), Lail produ
ces this beautiful Sauvignon Blanc in the style of Sancerre, crisp and mineral-laden but with a decidedly Californian ripeness of fruit. Look for notes of Florida grapefruit, citron, honeydew, toast with lemon curd and just a hint
of ginger spice.
More Information: 2009 Lail Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc
Grape variety: Chenin Blanc, Viognier (5%)
Region: Paarl, South Africa
Food pairing: Waldorf or other fruit-laden salad
Tyrrel and Philip Myburgh are the fifth generation stewards of t
he Joostenberg family farm in the Western Cape of South Africa. Here they have some very old un-irrigated Chenin Blan
c vines, but from 1947 to 1999 winemaking ceased and the grapes were sold off to the local co-op. In 1999, the brothers revived the family w
inemakin
g tradition, resuming their non-interventionist winemaking techniques and working toward organic certification.
Their “Little J” Chenin Blanc (with 5% Viognier for a little aromatic lift) is made to be a
n approachable, easy-drinking every day white wine with just a hint of melon sweetness. Peachy, floral aromatics make this a delightful wine to serve lightly chilled with a fresh fruit-laden salad on a warm spring or summer day.
More Information: 2009 Joostenberg Little J Red
2010 Finca La Linda Rose Malbec
Grape variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Food pairing: Crab salad with avocado
Fortuitously the advent of the warm weather, and hence the need for chilled quaffs, and the arrival of the fresh rose wines from the preceding growing season coincide.
One of the 2010 arrivals we’re excited about is Luigi Bosca’s Finca la Linda Rose of Malbec from Argentina. Made of 100% Malbec grapes grown in Barrancas, Maipu in Mendoza, this wine should be served lightly chilled and exhibits aromas of fresh strawberry and stone fruits with just a bit of floral undertone. The finish is soft, clean and ripe, with just enough swee
tness to invoke strawberry fruit but not enough to make it off-dry. Enjoy on a warm day, preferably outdoors.
Food pairing: New England lobster rolls
Grape variety:Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma County, California
Eighteen eighty three was a good year for the Wente family. It was the year in which C.H. Wente founded his northern California
winery, beginning what would become more than a century-long family foray into winemaking. Wente is still a family-run winery, and to pay homage, they produced this special bottling called “1883” to honor their founder.
Produced in the cool coastal vineyards of Monterey, this Chardonnay carries ripe white fruit flavors of apple and tropical mango, balanced by a hint of vanilla-spiced oak. I love Chardonnay as a pairing with a summer favorite of mine, New England lobster rolls. The buttery oak matches the buttery lobster and roll, while the clean acidity refreshes the palate nicely.
More Information: 2009 “1883” Chardonnay
Grape variety: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Food pairing: Gorgonzola topped filet mignon
In Spanish, Ocaso means sunset. In ancient mythology, Ocaso meant the goddess who would sing to the sun as it set behind the mountains each evening, giving thanks f
or the “fruits of nature.” In our stores, Ocaso means good affordable Argenti
ne Malbec.
“What really impressed me about the Ocaso Malbec was how food-friendly it was,” says Gary’s wine associate Kathy Brindle. “It stood up to a gorgonzola-topped grilled filet mignon, but it didn’t overpower a side dish of angel hair pasta and summer veggies. And I could
imagine how the ripe blackberry fruit flavors and long smooth finish would also make it a great match for BBQ chicken.” It seems that the challenge may be in finding a number of dishes that don’t pair well with this soft and pleasant red wine. Of course, it should be no surprise. It hails from the good-food-lovin’ country of Argentina. And there is a goddess involved. That never hurts.
More Information: 2009 Ocaso Malbec
Grape variety: Tempranillo
Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain
Food pairing: Aged Manchego or Garroxta
Many people know Rioja as the region for great Tempranillo, but more and more of us are getting familiar with the distinc
tly good Tempranillos that come from Ribera del Duero. There, they maintain that their Tempranillo (which they often call Tinto de Toro) is completely different t
han the Rioja variety. Call it a Sharks and Jets kind of situation; it really just comes down to whose turf is best. Sourced from some of Ribera’s highest elevation vineyards, the nose reveals cedar, mineral, earth and black fruits, with a palate that’s rich with red fruits and solid, gripping tannins. At less than $20, the turf war is clearly in Ribera’s favor with this one.
More Information: 2007 Sincero Ribera del Duero
2009 Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Les Charmes
Grape variety: Gamay
Region: Morgon, Beaujolais, France
Food pairing: French charcuterie (pate, saucisson sec)
In most vintages, I have to admit that Bea
ujolais is not one of my favorite wines to drink.
re sourced from single vineyards and aged in barrels prior to release, carry more nuance, spice, and terroir than I’ve formerly found. This one in particular, from Morgon les Charmes, carries truly interesting notes, as David Schildknecht said, of “ripe dark cherry and blackberry, smoked meat, walnWhile I appreciate the freshness and approachability, the Gamay grape just isn’t amo
ng my usual favorites. But in 2009, a banner year for Beaujolais, I discovered something completely different. The cru Beaujolais from this vintage, wines that unlike the “Nouveau” a
ut oil...and a long lip-smacking intensity of fresh berry skin and mineral salts.”
Drink over the next three years.
Grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Region: Bordeaux, France
Food pairing: Hard aged cheese or strong blue cheese
It’s all well and good to talk about the first
and second growths of Bordeaux, those bottles that in good vintages and bad seem to rise astronomical
ly in price and reputation, and which collectors can never seem to get enough of. But what ab
out the little guys? In the best of vintages, like 2009, the “baby” Bordeaux can be stunning values, drinking like something of much higher pedigree and in the end being just what everyday Bordeaux should be: a bottli
ng of Merlot, Cabernet and Cab Franc that expresses the left and right ban
k terroir just as it should, with fruit, tannic structure, and a little grace. This one, more Merlot than Cabernet, exhibits notes of blackcurrant and morello cherry and a harmony of fruit and spice on the persi
stent finish.
More Information: 2009 Pey de Faure Bordeaux
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Region: North Coast, California
Food pairing: Aged gouda and other hard cheeses
We’ve been fans of the Sorrel Canyon brand for quite some time now, sourced from a growing empire of q
uality North Coast California wineries. Until now, Chardonnay and Cabernet were all we could get, but with the growth of the brand they acquired some great sources of Merlot, and the Sorrel Canyon Meritage was born. Meritage (pronounced like “heritage”) marries the best of both worlds: bold, structured Cabernet and velvety smooth Merlot, creating a blend that’s at once ripe and rich yet still smooth and delicate. (We have to give Bordeaux the credit for first coming up with the idea, b
ut California’s really taking off with it.) This is a fantastic everyday wine you’ll want to come back for, pleasantly ripe, smooth, easy to drink and easy on the wallet as well.
More Information: 2008 Sorrel Canyon Meritage
Grape variety: Shiraz
Region: South Australia
Food pairing: Dry rubbed BBQ brisket
The Two Jokers brand of wines was created to enca
psulate the mood of South Australia. In the redgum trees just outside this winery, two loud and cheeky Kookaburra birds often sit, sending an infectious “laughing” call across the vineyards in the morning. So the winery found it fitting to name this fun and relaxed bottling after their two resident jokers.
Australian Shiraz tends to be richer and sweeter-fruited than Syrah from the cooler climates of France and even California, often bordering on raisiny. But a well-made Australian Shiraz achieves that richness without going over the ripeness border. This one is smooth and easy to drink, with flavors of bursting-ripe blackberry and star anise.
More Information: 2009 Two Jokers Shiraz
Grape variety: Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne
Region: Costieres de Nimes, France
Food pairing: Sole Meunier
The French AOC of Costieres de Nimes used to be considered part of the Languedoc region, but as the wines they produce more closely resemble those of the Rhone Valley (Grenache and Syrah based reds and Grenache Blanc/Rousanne based whites), it was eventually given its own appellation in 1989. This white wine blend of Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne from Michel Gassier is a tremendous value for the price, exhibiting “a honeyed, rich, full bodied effort with plenty of texture as well as pure notes of quince, white currants, flowers and unmistakable minerality.” (Robert Parker.)
More Information: 2009 Michel Gassier Nostre Pais Blanc
