Gary's Wine Club July 2009 Premiere Selection: 2005 Anderson's Conn Valley Eloge

2005 Anderson's Conn Valley Eloge
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Region: Napa Valley, California
Food pairing: Grilled Artisanal Sausage and Blueberry-Sage Reduction

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards are located just east of Saint Helena in the Napa Valley, where Conn Creek flows from Howell Mountain. It's 26 acres of vines in a "grape-growing paradise," the owners boast. Here, winemaker Todd Anderson and assistant Mac Sawyer craft a Bordeaux-style blend that Robert Parker calls "a staggering wine that's utterly profound" with aromas and flavors like incense, cedar, kirsch, smoke, spice box and forest floor (and a score of 96 points).

Beneath all of those savory notes is a core of black fruits that sing right through to the finish. The inspiration for the style of blend, it seems, is Medoc, and the ageability is right on par; this will most likely drink well for 20-25 years to come, should you choose to wait that long. But it's drinking beautifully now, and as they say...there's no time like the present.

More info: http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/california/01696.html

Gary's Wine Club July 2009 Premiere Selection: 2006 Larkin Cabernet Franc

2006 Larkin Cabernet Franc
Grape variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: Napa Valley, California
Food pairing: Chinese five-spice-rubbed duck breast

In the write-up for the Cellar Selections, I made the rather bold assertion that nobody's having more fun making wine in the Napa Valley than Robert Foley. If that's true, then Sean Larkin is certainly in close running. And it's all because he made a bold choice, or rather a series of bold choices, to pursue a passion. Larkin was born in Inverkeithing Fife, Scotland, and began his professional life as a sheet-metal worker. His success at this line of work brought him to New Jersey, and after some years of backbreaking work he began to wonder whether this was really what he wanted to be doing when he was 50 or 60.

So he slowly began learning about wine. He became a part-time sommelier, traveled to the Napa Valley for the first time in 1991, and was hooked. He moved to the Bay Area to work for a wine distributor, and once he felt he knew enough about the process, he bought his first half-ton of grapes in 1999 and decided to give winemaking a go.

Two years later, he released his 48 cases of inaugural wine, and considers it nothing short of a miracle that it was an instant success, garnering a 91-point score from Robert Parker. The next year he bought a whole ton of grapes, did just as well, and increased production just enough to make a real enterprise out of it but remains in the boutique category to keep quality high. And while Cabernet Sauvignon is what most enthusiasts look for in the Napa Valley, Larkin is one of the few Napa winemakers taking the time (and developing the expertise) to make a truly outstanding high-end Cabernet Franc.

The 2006 is full of blueberry and blackberry flavors and hints of savory herb, licorice and purple flowers, with just the right acidity to balance out some pretty substantial tannins. Parker gave it 93 points, we certainly give it our stamp of approval...and Sean gives thanks that all that sweat finally paid off. Here's to doing what you love, and putting a little old-fashioned elbow grease in along the way.

More info: http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/california/09927.html

Gary's Wine Club July 2009 Cellar Selection: 2006 Banknote Wine Company "The Vault" Napa Valley Red Blend

2006 Banknote Wine Company "The Vault" Napa Valley Red Blend
Grape Variety: Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Napa Valley, California
Food pairing: Grilled Squab or Quail Stuffed with Thyme Sprigs

There aren't many symbols so iconic to American culture quite like our currency. A graphic designer by trade and a self-professed wine-lover at heart, proprietor Pete Nixon decided to merge his two passions by designing a unique and striking wine label; all he needed was an equally unique and striking wine to go inside. So he enlisted consulting winemaker Bill Knuttel and came up with just under 600 cases of this rare blend.

With Zinfandel, Syrah, and Cab in the mix, it carries deep aromas and flavors of black cherry, cigar box and caramel with a lengthy, impressive finish. (Fans of Orin Swift's "The Prisoner" may see similarities in style.) Each bottle features one of twelve designs taken from early American banknotes from various states, adding to the uniqueness and collectability of this very interesting bottling.

More info: http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/california/09387.html

Gary's Wine Club July 2009 Reserve Selection: 2007 Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc

2007 Lang and Reed Cabernet Franc
Grape variety: Cabernet Franc
Region: North Coast (Lake County and Napa Valley), California
Food pairing: Sirloin Steak Kebabs with Bell Pepper

Poor misunderstood Cabernet Franc "can't get no respect." For years, winemakers couldn't figure out where to plant it and how to treat it, and most consumers didn't find much reason to want to drink it on its own. Sure, it's a great blending grape, everyone thought, but can it really stand on its own? John and Tracey Skupney of Lang and Reed Wine Company certainly think so. In fact, they're so convinced that they've made it their flagship wine: a bold move amongst Napa neighbors who almost unanimously anchor their brand on Cabernet Sauvignon.

"It's definitely the Rodney Dangerfield of the varietals," John says. But when done right, (as Lang & Reed is), Cabernet Franc rivals, even trumps, great Cabernet Sauvignon by providing more dried herb, tobacco, graphite and pepper notes behind berry fruit. It's the savory side of the Cabernet family, and savory deserves some respect.

More info: http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/california/66049.html

May 2009 Wine Club Selection - 2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir

2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Food pairing: Manchego cheese and lavender honey

If you're familiar with Merry Edwards and her notoriously short-supplied wines, I'll give you a minute to finish jumping up and down. If you're not, begin jumping now. I'll give you a minute.

Just last week, we returned from a visit to the Merry Edwards winery in the Russian River Valley, where we tasted her Pinot Noirs from both the 2006 and 2007 vintage. While all of Merry's single-vineyard bottlings are indeed stunning, what struck us most was just how incredible her appellation Pinots (she makes one from the Russian River Valley and one from the Sonoma Coast) really are.

Pinot as it should be, this wine is dark fruited without being too "dense" for the characteristically light varietal, and carries bright, long-lived acidity without even bordering on tart. Most charmingly, underlying the beautiful berry fruit and clean, silky mouthfeel is just the lightest aroma of flowers, maybe lilacs, that seems all the more fitting when you see the garden-lined vineyards Merry farms in the Russian River Valley. Enjoy. (Just don't jump with a full glass.)

May 2009 Wine Club Selection - Lolonis Ladybug Red NV

Lolonis Ladybug Red NV
Zinfandel, Carignane, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Redwood Valley, Mendocino, California
Food pairing: Baked sausage and mushroom lasagna

While so many wineries have jumped on the organic bandwagon in recent years, the family-owned Lolonis vineyards have been certified organically grown in the Redwood Valley for many years. Organic farming practices began for the Lolonis family in the 1950's, when they decided to use ladybugs, beneficial predators of pests that eat grape vines and leaves, instead of spraying pesticides in the vineyards..

The practice led to an homage in their "Ladybug Red," a sort of house wine made from four varietals that winemaker Lori Knapp selects and blends. Because all four varietals need different amounts of ageing in the cellar, the blend is non-vintage specific, but carries easy-drinking red fruits and hints of garden herbs and spice. True to tradition, over five million ladybugs will be released in these vineyards this Summer. Think of them when you're sipping a glass and watching the bugs in your own back yard

April Wine of the Month Picks - Gary's Wine Club Web Video

Gary Fisch and Wine Club Director Maggie Fox taste two 'green' wines that are their picks for April Wine of the Month at the Wine Tasting Bar in Gary's Wine & Marketplace in Wayne, NJ




2005 Silverado Vineburg Chardonnay

Ripe apple and orange blossom aromas with vanilla and oak in the background. Stone and mineral aromas echo on the palate. Balanced acidity with a silky mid-palate lead to a zesty finish.

$25.99
$37.99
ON SALE!

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2005 Duckhorn Migration Pinot Noir

This medium-bodied wine has bright fruit complemented by ripe and broad tannins that provide great balance and a lengthy finish. The aroma features blueberry, plum, strawberry pie, and toasted oak. The flavors are focused and follow through with ripe strawberry, plum, and cherry, complemented by clove. A lighter style than our Goldeneye, this wine shows the range and suppleness of the Pinot Noir varietal.

Reviews

Wine Spectator 89 points

Rich and savory, with a cherry cola-sassafras aroma that spills over to the palate, giving it a distinctive flavor profile. Finishes with a long, complex, fruity aftertaste, with a hint of mineral. 89 points

$29.99
$37.99
ON SALE!

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2006 Silverado Vineburg Chardonnay

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2006 Silverado Vineburg Chardonnay
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Region: Carneros, California
Food pairing: Free Range orange-glazed chicken breast

Silverado Vineyards have become quite a recognizable wine brand, but that doesn't mean that they've compromised quality or commitment to the sustainability of their vineyard land in doing so. Among the "green" practices they can boast are a solar powered winery, hybrid vehicles, and a Napa Green Certification, which verifies that the winery practices soil, water and wildlife conservation and has a long-term plan in place for sustainable farming.

They can also boast a very talented winemaker in Jonathan Emmerich, and consistently high-quality wines at very reasonable prices. Their single vineyard Chardonnay from the Vineberg vineyard in Carneros carries ripe yellow apple flavors and aromas of orange blossom, vanilla and stone. A superbly well-balanced wine from an ecologically well-balanced vineyard.

http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/california/65140.html

2006 Tres Sabores "Porque No"

2006 Tres Sabores "Porque No"
Grape variety: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Petite Syrah
Region: Napa Valley, California
Food pairing: Beef, lamb and mushroom kebabs
Julie Johnson is no one-trick pony, nor is her ranch on the Rutherford Benchland of Napa Valley. On her dusty California soils, Julie grows organically certified Zinfandel, Cabernet, Petite Syrah and Petite Verdot grapes, along with olives, Meyer lemons and pomegranates.

For some years, she has used the grapes to make two stellar estate wines: Rutherford Zinfandel and Rutherford Perspective Cabernet. Eight years ago, she had a few barrels of each left over, so she asked herself what would happen if she combined all the good wine she had left over from both with a little touch of Petit Verdot and Petite Syrah into one bottling. The answer was, naturally, "Porque no?" ...Why not? The spontaneity worked out well, forming a wine that's packed with black cherry and berry fruits, structured tannins from the Cab, spiciness from the Zin, and earthiness from the Petite Syrah.

2005 Duckhorn Migration Pinot Noir

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2005 Duckhorn Migration Pinot Noir
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Anderson Valley, California
Food pairing: Braised duck over lentils

If you're going to create an entire winery based around one species of wildlife, then it's only fair to say you've got to be wildlife supporters in the long haul. The folks at Duckhorn (who create varietal wines under the Duckhorn, Paraduxx, Goldeneye, and Migration labels), have just such a commitment through their sustainable winemaking practices and Napa Green Certification (a program that ensures that the soil, wildlife, and water are conserved on and around their vineyard properties.)

Migration Pinot Noir is the sister label of Goldeneye, and is produced entirely of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Choosing from a veritable palate of 22 clonal varieties in 23 separate vineyard blocks, winemaker Zach Rasmuson crafted a wine in the 2005 vintage that carries a nose of earth and cherry, a palate full of delicious cherry fruit, and a silky finish with notes of forest floor. Drinks beautifully now, and should continue to do so through 2010/2011.