Gary's Wine Club August 2009 Reserve Selection: 2007 J.M. Boillot Montagny 1er Cru

2006 Mas du Soleilla Petit Mars
Grape variety: Syrah
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Food pairing: Grilled lamb or

Porterhouse steak
Chosen By: Phil Unger, Wine Associate, Bernardsville

For years, the Languedoc-Roussillon of sun-drenched Southern France was in a real rut. Prices on their wines were low, and reputations were often lower. The few producers who were making fantastic wine (and yes, some have been there all along) found it hard to get anyone to pay attention. But in the mid-1990's, the press began to notice, awarding the best wines of the Languedoc with high scores. Mas du Soleilla was one such winery; a successful, shining example of just how good the red wines of the Languedoc could be. And at just over $20, you simply don't find many other Syrahs anywhere in the world that can compete with their Petit Mars bottling. A cheerleader for the Languedoc for many many moons, Phil loves how these big, rich wines go so well with his favorite barbecued meats like lamb and Porterhouse steak, as well as aged sheepsmilk cheese like Abbaye de Belloc.

More info: http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/france/10128.html

Gary's Wine Club August 2009 Reserve Selection: 2007 J.M. Boillot Montagny 1er Cru

2007 J.M. Boillot Montagny 1er Cru

Grape Variety: chardonnay

Region: Burgundy, France

Food pairing: Pan-seared Chilean sea bass with mushrooms and Marsala wine

Chosen By: Thomas McGarry, Assistant Manager, Bernardsville and Wayne

Thomas McGarry is one of our resident Francophiles. The only thing he loves more than pronouncing the appellations of Burgundy is drinking the wines that hail from there. So when I set

him loose to choose a white wine for this month's Reserve Club, it was no surprise that he came back to me grinning, bottle and glass of golden Montagny 1er Cru in hand, and said, "Taste it." The wine was terrific...but it needed to fit the price range for the Reserve Club. To my great surprise, it did. A Premier Cru at this price is nearly unheard of, but leave it to Thomas to sniff it out. "In trying a number of 2007 white Burgundies," Thomas says, "this wine floored me with its rich complexity and poetic balance. It's floral, with scents of apple, hazelnut, a kiss of honey...and it has depth and richness with a zesty, mineral finish." His kind of wine and, we hope, yours.

More info: http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/france/10323.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

Gary's Wine Club July 2009 Reserve Selection: 2007 Hermann Wiemer Dry Riesling

2007 Hermann Wiemer Dry Riesling
Grape variety: Riesling
Region: Finger Lakes, New York
Food pairing: Grilled Snapper with Green Curry

It's not often that a New York wine, or any East Coast wine for that matter, gets significant recognition from the national press. Even though the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes regions are capable of rivaling the West Coast and even Europe when it comes to certain varietals (Riesling chief among them), they're often overlooked as minor-league.

But Hermann J. Wiemer's winery, established in the Finger Lakes in 1979, is finally getting some of the recognition they deserve for producing a dry Riesling that rivals the best in the same price category from Washington and even Alsace. Lime zest, a little wild mint and vanilla mingle to offer extraordinary freshness, with just the smallest hint of floral sweetness on the finish. Wine & Spirits magazine awarded this wine 92 points, while both Food and Wine and Saveur agreed that Wiemer is one of THE best American Riesling producers, hands-down. East Coasters, take pride; West Coasters, take notice.

More info: http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/east_coast/59002.html

Gary's Wine Club June 2009 Selection: 2008 Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir

2008 Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Pinot Noir
Grape variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Martinborough, New Zealand
Food pairing: Seared Ahi tuna with tomatillo salsa

A few years back, we discovered a small vineyard called Martinborough that was producing a very good Sauvignon Blanc from the eponymous appellation in New Zealand. Te Tera Sauvignon Blanc became a staple on our shelves, but it was only this year that the quality of their Pinot Noir came to our attention.

Perhaps it was the blessing of a very good growing season, or the able hands of winemaker Paul Mason, but whatever the cause, we've found Martinborough's 2008 Te Tera Pinot Noir to be a fantastic example of what New Zealand Pinot can be: at once light and silky, but also carrying deep chocolate and plum flavors that make it rich without heaviness. Ever humble, the winery gives much of the credit to the mercy of Mother Nature in this vintage. Excellent winter soil moisture combined with a very settled spring (to give us) some of the best flowering conditions we've ever seen. Glorious summer weather... minimal rainfall ... a dream season overall. If only Mother Nature were this kind all the time.


http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/new_zealand/09131.html

Gary's Wine Club June 2009 Selection: 2008 Momo Sauvignon Blanc

2008 Momo Sauvignon Blanc
Grape variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: New Zealand
Food pairing: Pesto-marinated shrimp on the barbie

We tasted this new find in early March this year, prior to any press, and were pleasantly surprised. Admirably round in style with ripe citrus fruits, bright acidity, and not overtly herbaceous, as we find some New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs to be...this was going to be a hit. So seeing the summer months on the horizon, we bought what we could on the spot and set some aside for the June Wine Club. As it often happens, we were not the only ones that were impressed by the Momo. It appeared in the April 30th issue of Wine Spectator and was rated 90 points. A popular national restaurant chain jumped on board, pouring it by the glass, and suddenly only a limited amount was available. We thanked our lucky stars that we had already set some aside for you just in time. The perfect quaff as the mercury rises, we think you'll enjoy the grapefruit, tangerine and green melon flavors and the kicky, juicy finish.

http://www.garyswine.com/fine_wine/new_zealand/08842.html

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