MONTHLY WINE CLUBS - FEATURED WINES FOR JULY 2009

PREMIUM WINE CLUB

Southern Highland Wines - Australia

Southern Highland Wines Estate is situated near the delightful village of Sutton Forest on the Illawarra Highway. Their location is a tremendous asset, just over an hour from Sydney and Wollongong and under a leisurely two hours from Canberra. Australia's cool-climate regions are gaining world-wide pre-eminence. One such region is the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. The wines from this region have distinctive characters, elegance and varietal definition traditionally found in the world's classiest most elegant wines. The logo and name Triplepoint comes from a physics term where "the triple point" is the intersection on a phase diagram where three phases coexist in equilibrium. But not just a catchy symbol. In wine speak, balance is such a meaningful attribute that they extended the physics term "triple point" to their way of making wine; Everything in Balance Also, the three peaks represent the altitude at which they grow their grapes.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Triplepoint Shiraz Made from 100% Shiraz from grapes grown on carefully selected premium vineyards in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Grapes from each vineyard were kept separate for the winemaker to create the final blend. Cherry red in color. Rich fruit flavors of ripe berries, spice and plums integrate well with subtle French oak characters. Well balanced acidity, delicate tannin and a mouth filling finish. Enjoy now through 2010. Pair with seared Kangaroo fillets, full flavored beef and mature hard cheese.

Lanzarini Family - Argentina

Leonardo Lanzarini and his family, vine growers in Modena, Italy, arrived in South America at the beginning of the 20th century. Around 1905 they settled down in Rivadavia, living next to the pioneers of that area. In 1936 the Lanzarinis bought a winery and began to produce their own wines, and enjoyed great prestige in the region. Since 1993 the family has started the process of varietal selection and along with modern technologies has achieved wines in high demand all over the world. As a result of these changes, the wines "Sediento" were born. The brand name is given after a place, by the plentiful River Tunuyan, where the family first settled. The lands of this region, which are deep, flooded and clayish, offer the grapes an ideal place to grow and ripen in plenitude.

FEATURED WINE: 2006 MonteCepas Chardonnay Made from 100% Chardonnay. This fruity and expressive wine reflects the great climatic and botanical characteristics of the Mendoza region, and particularly its ability to produce fresh white wines. This location allows the Lanzarini Family to obtain modern wines, especially renowned for their joviality and freshness, with a great aromatic richness typical of the Chardonnay variety. This wine is a bright golden color with subtle highlights. It has an exuberant, perfumed nose with citrus and floral notes. On the palate the wine is large and consistent, with a great range of flavors, leaving a very pleasant finish. The wine is a perfect accompaniment to poultry and salads. Drink now through 2009.

Tittarelli Winery - Argentina

Tittarelli is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in all of Argentina. Founded by Enrique Tittarelli in 1915, just after his arrival from Italy. Tittarelli owns over 1800 hectares (4500 acres) of vines right below the Andes Mountains, an area with an exceptional micro-climate which makes it possible to grow high-quality grapes. The company is divided into two wineries, which combine tradition and technology to create wines of excellent character. The 33 degree south latitude is a special geographic point as the climate of this zone is characterized by a large swing in temperatures. These conditions, together with the scarce rainfall and the sandy and permeable soil make the 'cuyana' area the most suitable for growing grapes, making it possible to compete with and even excel the best and most traditional European wineries.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Malbec Bonarda Made from 60%Malbec and 40% Bonarda. The color is an intense ruby red with violet nuances. Aromas of rich, mature red fruits, plums and gooseberries. Long and deep palate full of red fruit sensations including cherries, berries, blackcurrants and plums together with a hint of vanilla. A complex wine with definite and mature varietal characteristics. The wine is ready to be enjoyed now. Serve at room temperature in red wine goblets with steaks, roasts, rich pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

INTERNATIONAL WINE CLUB

Quinta de Cabriz - Portugal

The winery was established in 1990, created from and enormous passion for the wine and the confidence in the huge potential of the Dao region by its founders. Quinta de Cabriz, an estate near Carregal do Sal, with a magnificent house and chapel of the 17th century, is nowadays one of the main catalysts of regional development to the conversion of old vines and new plantations with modern wine making technology. The winemaking team is headed by Carlos Lucas who voted "Winemaker of the Year" by Revista de Vinhos/Wine Magazine in 2008.

FEATURED WINE: 2006 Colheita Seleccionada Dao DOC Made from a proprietary blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro Preto, and Tinta Roriz. Overall a big, hearty, robust and juicy red wine that layers typical dry Portuguese tannins with dark red fruits of cherry, plum and raspberry along with spicy herbs, acidity and some meaty richness. Touches of wood add complexity to a big-hearted wine. Drink now through 2011. Enjoy at room temperature with Fejoada (mixed stew of beans and meats), roast chicken, pizza, pasta dishes and stewed rabbit.

Montes Winery - Chile

The first activities at the vineyard began in 1987. Two partners with great vision, Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray, both holding long-standing experience in the wine industry, were certain Chile could improve on the quality it was producing at the time. It seemed as if the large and medium-scale vineyards were satisfied with limiting their distribution to local supermarkets. They certainly knew how to produce premium wines, but didn't feel up to it, they were satisfied with the niche markets they had attained, which was certainly broad, although small. In 1988, another two original partners joined in, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, each providing their qualified, complimentary views, and thus, Vina Montes was formally born, initially under the name Discover Wine., a saga that has made Chile internationally known in 75 countries worldwide while providing extensive recognition and acclaim.

FEATURED WINE: 2004 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Made from 100% Chardonnay. This elegant wine shows boasts an intense yellow color. It shows lifted notes of grapefruit, fig, pear, and pineapple backed by just a hint of toasty oak. In the mouth it is full bodied with a fresh, zesty acidity leading to a long, creamy finish. This wine is perfect now through 2009. Enjoy on it's own as an aperitif or accompanied by poultry, fresh fish and ripe white cheeses.

Cave des Vignerons de Saumur - France

The Cave des Vignerons was established in 1957 by a group of winegrowers who wanted to combine their experience and expertise and to meet future challenges. The Saumur Cave des Vignerons, at the heart of the Saumur Champigny vineyard, located at the top of the Saint Cyr en Bourg hill. White limestone, locally known as tuffeau, was first extracted by the Oratorian monks to build churches, houses and the famous Loire Valley chateaux. The site was bought by local winegrowers in 1957, who dug out two vertical shafts to make full use of gravity flow. This original conception enables various activities to take place on separate levels between the receiving platform, located above ground, and the vats 25 meters below.

FEATURED WINE: 2007 Les Plantagenets Rouge Saumur Made from 100% Cabernet Franc which is the most important red grape variety in the Loire Valley. In the Loire, Cabernet Franc is not merely a blending grape, as it is for the most part in Bordeaux and the Napa Valley; on the contrary, any serious discussion of Loire reds is going to be mainly about Cabernet Franc. This fresh, medium bodied wine carries aromas of red berries. Tastes are deeper, with black cherry and blackberry notes and touches of mocha, earth and minerals from limestone rich soils. The wine finishes with a long smooth finish which is achieved without exposure to oak fermentation and aging are done completely in stainless steel tanks. Served slightly chilled, it provides a refreshing counterpoint to a range of simply prepared dishes, from grilled salmon and broiled or grilled chicken, to steaks and chops served on the patio.

Tittarelli Winery - Argentina

Tittarelli is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in all of Argentina. Founded by Enrique Tittarelli in 1915, just after his arrival from Italy. Tittarelli owns over 1800 hectares (4500 acres) of vines right below the Andes Mountains, an area with an exceptional micro-climate which makes it possible to grow high-quality grapes. The company is divided into two wineries, which combine tradition and technology to create wines of excellent character. The 33 degree south latitude is a special geographic point as the climate of this zone is characterized by a large swing in temperatures. These conditions, together with the scarce rainfall and the sandy and permeable soil make the 'cuyana' area the most suitable for growing grapes, making it possible to compete with and even excel the best and most traditional European wineries.

FEATURED WINE: 2006 Torrontes Reserva Made from 100% Torrontes. The wine is a beautiful yellow with clear steel shimmers. Noticeable tropical fruits of peach and citrus notes enhance the vividness of the varietal. On the palate it is fresh and soft with excellent fruit, a truly explosion of the senses. It has good acidic balance. The wine is ready to be enjoyed now. Serve chilled with Pacific Rim cuisine such as mushroom dumplings in chicken broth, herb stuffed zucchini with basmati rice, tuna with mango sauce, Alaskan butterfish marinated in Torrontes and Miso, lobster with papaya sauce, and steamed bass with caramelized onions, ginger and scallions.

WEST COAST WINE CLUB

Kunde Family Estate - Kenwood, California

For more than a century, the Kunde family has lived, worked and produced award winning wines on the same property in the Sonoma Valley. Founder Louis Kunde acquired the Wildwood Vineyards ranch with its acclaimed iron rich, ancient red volcanic soils in 1904, and soon built a winery. At his death in 1922, his son, Arthur "Big Boy" Kunde, took up the reins. And he, in turn, was succeeded by his two sons, Bob and Fred, who greatly expanded the estate by purchasing and planting the adjacent Kinneybrook Ranch in the 1960's and '70's. Today Kunde Estate is comprised of 1,850 contiguous acres in the heart of the Sonoma Valley, with 700 acres planted to eighteen different varieties of wine grapes.

FEATURED WINE: 2004 Merlot Sonoma Valley Made from 83% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich and concentrated with a smooth, liquid velvet core, this Merlot offers vivid aromatics of ripe cherries and raspberries. The powerful fruit aromas carry through to the palate, with full mouth flavors of boysenberries and rich dark chocolate that linger through the finish. Its tannin structure maintains a graceful balance with the ripe fruit flavors and soft oak character derived from extended time spent aging in small oak barrels. Drink now through 2010. Pair with beef short ribs in a red wine reduction sauce served over a bed of parmesan infused polenta.

Clubhouse Cellars - Woodinville, Washington

Clubhouse Cellars is a leading negociant-style wine producer in Washington. Clubhouse Cellars has established a new price/quality benchmark by blending select lots of bulk wine with wines they have made themselves, always sourcing from Washington's leading vineyards. The result is fantastic wines that fully express the essence of Washington in general and the vintage in particular. The sum is truly greater than the parts which present aristocratic wines at democratic prices!

FEATURED WINE: 2007 Haystack Needle Chardonnay Another fruit-driven success for this negociant's Chardonnay program. This opens with generous plump and tangy pineapple, pink grapefruit and Meyer lemon, succulent and crisp. The fruit continues along without any off notes through a satisfying finish. The tropical fruits and pear flavors of this Chardonnay coupled with a subtle crisp finish make this a surprisingly diverse wine. Grilled or lightly smoked fish or poultry work particularly well.

Wallace Brook Cellars - Newberg, Oregon

As a leading Oregon wine producer and innovator, Wallace Brook Cellars (produced by Adelsheim Vineyard) has been crafting complex Pinot Noirs and intriguing Chardonnay wines in Oregon's north Willamette Valley since their first vintage in 1978. Since their founding in 1971 by David Adelsheim and Ginny Adelsheim, the Adelsheim Vineyard estate has grown to include nine exceptional vineyard sites on the Chehalem Mountains, totaling 170 acres. The label's depiction of a rushing brook and lush terrain reflects the temperate climate of Oregon's north Willamette Valley in which their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes were grown.

FEATURED WINE: 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley Pinot Gris has its origins in eastern France from Alsace to Burgundy. Wallace Brook can lay claim to being one of the very oldest producers of this variety outside of Europe, and they have long been acknowledged as producing a reference standard for the "Oregon style". Crisp, bright flavors have always been their tradition in this wine. The 2007 shows the usual lovely floral bouquet in a mouth-filling creamy manner. Pear and apple flavors dominate the fruit profile with an additional lemon zest on the finish. This wine pairs with Thai, Chinese or Indian dishes along with more traditional foods such as shellfish and bisques.

Windy Ridge - San Francisco, California

Windy Ridge is the small, proprietary brand of San Francisco Wine Exchange. Having been in business and working diligently since 1976, San Francisco Wine Exchange has established close, personal relationships with legendary vintners and winemakers. Larry Brooks has recently signed on as Consulting Winemaker for Windy Ridge. Larry has access to small lots of outstanding wine, truly the jewels of what the industry has to offer. Larry's philosophy and classic winemaking techniques are a perfect match for Windy Ridge.

FEATURED WINE: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast The appellation source for this Cabernet is Paso Robles. It is regarded as the best area for Cabernet outside of the well known North Coast counties of Napa and Sonoma. The best wines from this area are peers of their better-known vineyards in the north. It is an emerging area for quality red wines. The grapes were harvested on November 17 at least a full month later than average. A very wet winter and spring combined with cooler than normal summer and fall weather were the defining aspects of the vintage. Ripening in November allowed very dark color and high aromatic perfume. Harvesting the grapes so late also seemed to soften the tannins as we did not add any appreciable amount of blenders to this wine. The wine is very deep in color as a result and the fruit flavors are fresher than in a typical year. They tend more towards red cherry instead of the usual plum. The herbal and cedar notes are subtle and in fine balance with the fruit and barrel flavors.

RED TRIO WINE CLUB

Tittarelli Winery - Argentina

Tittarelli is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in all of Argentina. Founded by Enrique Tittarelli in 1915, just after his arrival from Italy. Tittarelli owns over 1800 hectares (4500 acres) of vines right below the Andes Mountains, an area with an exceptional micro-climate which makes it possible to grow high quality grapes. The company is divided into two wineries, which combine tradition and technology to create wines of excellent character. The 33 degree south latitude is a special geographic point as the climate of this zone is characterized by a large swing in temperatures. These conditions, together with the scarce rainfall and the sandy and permeable soil make the 'cuyana' area the most suitable for growing grapes, making it possible to compete with and even excel the best and most traditional European wineries.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Malbec Bonarda Made from 60%Malbec and 40% Bonarda. The color is an intense ruby red with violet nuances. Aromas of rich, mature red fruits, plums and gooseberries. Long and deep palate full of red fruit sensations including cherries, berries, blackcurrants and plums together with a hint of vanilla. A complex wine with definite and mature varietal characteristics. The wine is ready to be enjoyed now. Serve at room temperature in red wine goblets with steaks, roasts, rich pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Windy Ridge - San Francisco, California

Windy Ridge is the small, proprietary brand of San Francisco Wine Exchange. Having been in business and working diligently since 1976, San Francisco Wine Exchange has established close, personal relationships with legendary vintners and winemakers. Larry Brooks has recently signed on as Consulting Winemaker for Windy Ridge. Larry has access to small lots of outstanding wine, truly the jewels of what the industry has to offer. Larry's philosophy and classic winemaking techniques are a perfect match for Windy Ridge.

FEATURED WINE: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast The appellation source for this Cabernet is Paso Robles. It is regarded as the best area for Cabernet outside of the well-known North Coast counties of Napa and Sonoma. The best wines from this area are peers of their better-known vineyards in the north. It is an emerging area for quality red wines. The grapes were harvested on November 17, at least a full month later than average. A very wet winter and spring combined with cooler than normal summer and fall weather were the defining aspects of the vintage. Ripening in November allowed very dark color and high aromatic perfume. Harvesting the grapes so late also seemed to soften the tannins as we did not add any appreciable amount of blenders to this wine. The wine is very deep in color as a result and the fruit flavors are fresher than in a typical year. They tend more towards red cherry instead of the usual plum. The herbal and cedar notes are subtle and in fine balance with the fruit and barrel flavors.

Smidge Wines - Australia

Smidge Wines is the work of Matt Wenk, the current winemaker at Two Hands and formerly of Nepenthe and a huge talent to watch. His approach here is simple: "You can add new oak but it's pretty difficult to take it out once you've overdone it". Which fits in well with the overall Smidge Wines concept: which is to produce top quality small run wines that, simply, Matt enjoys making! Matt's winemaking philosophy is to find the very finest parcels fruit and transform them into limited production world class wines that show exceptional varietal and regional definition.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Houdini Red Blend After a bit of tinkering, by the way of adding a little more of this and a little more of that, the Houdini was created with a final blend of 50% Shiraz, 25% Zinfandel, 25% Merlot. The Houdini's nose reveals big, rich, dark berry fruit along with some subtler spice notes. On the palate you'll find cassis and big jammy fruit. The mid palate has a ton more dark berry fruit accompanied by mocha notes that become more prominent as The Houdini opens up. The finish on this wine is solid and filled with lots of spice and lingering mocha characteristics. This is a well balanced wine with good acidity. Drink now through 2010. Houdini is a perfect BBQ wine and pairs well with grilled meats and strong cheeses.

SINGLE BOTTLE WINE CLUB

Tittarelli Winery - Argentina

Tittarelli is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in all of Argentina. Founded by Enrique Tittarelli in 1915, just after his arrival from Italy. Tittarelli owns over 1800 hectares (4500 acres) of vines right below the Andes Mountains, an area with an exceptional micro climate which makes it possible to grow high quality grapes. The company is divided into two wineries, which combine tradition and technology to create wines of excellent character. The 33 degree south latitude is a special geographic point as the climate of this zone is characterized by a large swing in temperatures. These conditions, together with the scarce rainfall and the sandy and permeable soil make the 'cuyana' area the most suitable for growing grapes, making it possible to compete with and even excel the best and most traditional European wineries.

FEATURED RED WINE: 2005 Malbec Bonarda Made from 60% Malbec and 40% Bonarda. The color is an intense ruby red with violet nuances. Aromas of rich, mature red fruits, plums and gooseberries. Long and deep palate full of red fruit sensations including cherries, berries, blackcurrants and plums together with a hint of vanilla. A complex wine with definite and mature varietal characteristics. The wine is ready to be enjoyed now. Serve at room temperature in red wine goblets with steaks, roasts, rich pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Tittarelli Winery - Argentina

Tittarelli is one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in all of Argentina. Founded by Enrique Tittarelli in 1915, just after his arrival from Italy. Tittarelli owns over 1800 hectares (4500 acres) of vines right below the Andes Mountains, an area with an exceptional micro climate which makes it possible to grow high quality grapes. The company is divided into two wineries, which combine tradition and technology to create wines of excellent character. The 33 degree south latitude is a special geographic point as the climate of this zone is characterized by a large swing in temperatures. These conditions, together with the scarce rainfall and the sandy and permeable soil make the 'cuyana' area the most suitable for growing grapes, making it possible to compete with and even excel the best and most traditional European wineries.

FEATURED WHITE WINE: 2006 Torrontes Reserva Made from 100 % Torrontes. The wine is a beautiful yellow with clear steel shimmers. Noticeable tropical fruits of peach and citrus notes enhance the vividness of the varietal. On the palate it is fresh and soft with excellent fruit, a truly explosion of the senses. It has good acidic balance. The wine is ready to be enjoyed now. Serve chilled with Pacific Rim cuisine such as mushroom dumplings in chicken broth, herb stuffed zucchini with basmati rice, tuna with mango sauce, Alaskan butterfish marinated in Torrontes and Miso, lobster with papaya sauce, and steamed bass with caramelized onions, ginger and scallions.

PLATINUM WINE CLUB

Smidge Wines - Australia

Smidge Wines is the work of Matt Wenk, the current winemaker at Two Hands and formerly of Nepenthe and a huge talent to watch. His approach here is simple: "You can add new oak but it's pretty difficult to take it out once you've overdone it". Which fits in well with the overall Smidge Wines concept: which is to produce top quality small run wines that, simply, Matt enjoys making? Matt's winemaking philosophy is to find the very finest parcels fruit and transform them into limited production world class wines that show exceptional varietal and regional definition.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Houdini Red Blend After a bit of tinkering, by the way of adding a little more of this and a little more of that, the Houdini was created with a final blend of 50% Shiraz, 25% Zinfandel, 25% Merlot. The Houdini’s nose reveals big, rich, dark berry fruit along with some subtler spice notes. On the palate you'll find cassis and big jammy fruit. The mid palate has a ton more dark berry fruit accompanied by mocha notes that become more prominent as The Houdini opens up. The finish on this wine is solid and filled with lots of spice and lingering mocha characteristics. This is a well balanced wine with good acidity. Drink now through 2010. Houdini is a perfect BBQ wine and pairs well with grilled meats and strong cheeses.

Mas Foulaquier - France

In the South of France between Nimes and Montpellier, the high limestone pinnacle of the Pic Saint-Loup, presents the backdrop for an exceptional landscape. The Pic Saint Loup 'cru' is the most northerly in the Coteaux du Languedoc, set amidst the Mediterranean 'garrigue' and exposed to the cooler climate of the lower reaches of the Cevennes. Mas Foulaquier is situated at the northern edge of the designated Pic Saint Loup 'cru'. The farmhouse overlooks a large plot of 8 hectares of sloping vines, similar to an enclosed Burgundy parcel. The vines are cultivated and treated with biodynamic preparations applied in accordance with the biodynamic sowing calendar. The grapes are harvested by hand, transferred into vats by gravity and fermented using only indigenous yeasts, without the addition of oenological products. Mas Foulaquier believes that working by hand and using their knowledge in the most natural way possible guarantees the production of pure and complex wines.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Les Calades Pic Saint-Loup A 'calade' is an area paved with limestone, like the 8 hectare plot of vines of Foulaquier. Limestone gives the wine its freshness, its mineral edge and its complexity. The property's top wine has been christened 'Les Calades' in homage to this superb 'terroir'. Made from 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache from 20 year old vines. The wine is medium to full bodied, delivering flavors of raspberry and dried cherry, with splashes of fig and smoke. The supple finish features chocolate and cream. Drink now through 2011. Works very well with spicy Asian food and Mediterranean cuisine, but is also very good with a rib of beef! Only 75 cases imported.

Montes Winery - Chile

The first activities at the vineyard began in 1987. Two partners with great vision, Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray, both holding long standing experience in the wine industry, were certain Chile could improve on the quality it was producing at the time. It seemed as if the large and medium scale vineyards were satisfied with limiting their distribution to local supermarkets. They certainly knew how to produce premium wines, but didn't feel up to it, they were satisfied with the niche markets they had attained, which was certainly broad, although small. In 1988, another two original partners joined in, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, each providing their qualified, complimentary views, and thus, Vina Montes was formally born, initially under the name Discover Wine., a saga that has made Chile internationally known in 75 countries worldwide while providing extensive recognition and acclaim.

FEATURED WINE: 2004 Chardonnay Casablanca Valley DO Made from 100% Chardonnay. It is a strong fruity wine with beautiful Chardonnay character. Evident banana, pineapple, and tropical fruits in the upfront with a well integrated oak that helps add elegance without covering the fruit. The Malolactic fermentation makes a full wine in the mid palate with long and pleasant finish and nice buttery after taste. Nice balanced between fruit and oak. One of the few Chilean whites that will improve over the years, this wine is ready now and will age nicely through 2010 with proper cellaring.

90+ POINT WINE CLUB

Bird in Hand - Australia

In 1997, an unassming young viticulturalist and winemaker, Andrew Nugent, planted vineyards and an olive grove on 100 acres on Bird in Hand Road, Woodside. The road itself was named after the "Bird in Hand" gold mine that operated in the district in the 1850s. Andrew Nugent chanced his arm in the emerging wine region of the Adelaide Hills. Andrew grew up next door to Penfolds at Magill and his formative wine years were spent in South Australia's McLaren Vale. It was here that he honed his craft as a viticulturalist, vineyard manager and winemaker. The Nugent family live and work on the picturesque property, reflecting the strong sense of community in the Adelaide Hills. Andrew exudes a quiet but steely determination to grow Bird in Hand into one of the world's great wineries.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Adelaide Hills This limited release Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant example of a classic varietal cabernet. Displaying aromas of dark red fruits, blackberry and cassis along with subtle oak characteristics from fine grained French barrels. The palate is a rich and intense expression of its aromas, offering good complexity, volume and length. Matured for 18 months, this wine is drinking beautifully now and will cellar well for up to 10 years (2015). 90 Points Wine Enthusiast.

Philippe Lorraine Cellars - Redwood, California

The wines of Philippe-Lorraine are hand crafted, artisan wines, produced from some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley. Phil Baxter, who for the last 35 years has consistently crafted some of the best wines in the valley, created the Philippe-Lorraine label in 1989 to honor his maternal grandparents. For the past three years he has been able to share his passion with his son, Phillip, Jr., also an accomplished winemaker. Together they employ old world techniques and a hands-off approach in order to bring you the finest expressions of the Napa Valley. All of the grapes are personally sourced and hand selected by this father & son team to ensure the finest quality. Together with their growers, the Baxters work towards a pure expression of the valley's terroir, producing their wine in small open-top fermenters and punching-down by hand. These traditional methods allow them to bring you small lots of high quality wines made in the classic, balanced, and elegant style Phil has been crafting for over three decades.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Chardonnay Napa Valley Made from 100% Chardonnay. The barrel fermented Chardonnay is a perfect combination of all the best growing regions in Napa Valley. It boasts flavors of peach and pear on the palate, with just a hint of pineapple, and the mouthfeel is creamy and luscious. This wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation because of the considerable richness that is inherent in the fruit. It is a delicious wine that pairs beautifully with food or can be enjoyed alone. Drink now through 2010. 90 Points Wine Enthusiast.

Seghesio Family - Healdsburg, California

The Seghesio winemaking history in the Dry Creek Valley began in 1895. The family has crafted wines from their Sonoma vineyards for more than a century. However, it is only since the beginning of the 1990's that the new generation of Seghesios (Ted as winemaker and Pete as CEO) turned their focus to quality wines, leaving their history with bulk winemaking in the past. Their vineyard management techniques have changed tremendously with the general implementation of crop thinning, among other practices that lead to optimum maturation of the grapes. The Seghesio family owns some of the oldest Zinfandel and Sangiovese vineyards in Sonoma, which are the basis for their single vineyard wines. The Seghesio family winery is one of the best representatives of the Italian-rooted heritage of Sonoma County.

FEATURED WINE: 2006 Sangiovese Alexander Valley Winemaker Ted Seghesio's grandfather first worked with Sangiovese in the late 1800's during his tenure as winemaker at Italian Swiss Colony. In 1910, he planted a Chianti field blend surrounding the railroad station in what was then Chianti, California. Those Sangiovese plantings on their Home Ranch are the oldest in America. This 100% Sangiovese carries a bouquet of dried violets. On the palate there is persistent dark fruit flavors of blackberries and blueberries. It has savory mid palate richness and the vintage's longer hang time produced ripe, integrated tannins. Spicy anise and clove oak tones contribute synergy and completeness. Sangiovese's sublime nature and proportional acid/tannin balance make it a quintessential food wine. Pair with red or mushroom-based sauces, pasta, roast lamb, hard cheeses. 90 Points Stephen Tanzer.

THE ULTIMATE WINE CELLAR CLUB

Buoncristiani Family Winery - Napa, California

Buoncristiani Family Winery is composed of four young brothers (Matt, Jay, Aaron & Nate) who share a passion and dedication for handcrafting ultra premium wines with the distinct ability to help accentuate the enjoyment of life. The Buoncristiani brothers, take pride in performing all aspects of enology, viticulture, wine production, and art design in order to share with you a true expression of our winemaking passion. Their motto is quality not quantity and they craft their wines without compromise. Handcrafting these limited production wines allows for the utmost attention to detail of every gallon in each barrel.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 O.P.C. Napa Valley The Buoncristiani O.P.C. is a Napa Valley proprietary red blend. In the quest to create a unique wine, they discovered the synergy of marrying Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, while also folding in further complexity of texture and flavor with Napa Malbec and Merlot blenders. Grapes are sourced from some of Napa's most prestigious vineyards including Hyde, Stagecoach, Caldwell, and Bennett. Just like their winemaking fathers before us, with "Ol' Pa's Cuvee" the four brothers continue the family tradition of handcrafting blends that help accentuate the enjoyment of life. The 2005 vintage is made from 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Syrah, 15% Merlot, and 7 % Malbec. The resulting wine is just gorgeous. Floods the mouth with decadent black currant, cherry, chocolate, anise, beef jerky and smoky oak flavors that stun for their addictive deliciousness. Yet it's perfectly dry, and the balance of rich, ripe tannins, acidity and smoky oak is near perfect. 94 Points Wine Enthusiast.

Domaine Arnaud Ente - France

Domaine Arnaud Ente is one of the hottest properties in Mersault today and arguably Burgundy's brightest rising star. Arnaud's aim is to do the best possible job from the vineyards he has available to him. Arnaud Ente is brother to Benoit, an eminent Puligny-Montrachet producer, and both are known for their fantastic wines. Arnaud has only 4.7 hectares of vines (about 2 acres) which he leases from his father-in-law and perhaps it is the focus which that gives him that contributes to the remarkable quality he consistently achieves The village wine is grown on mixture of marl and chalk soils which is perfectly suited to the production of Chardonnay.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Meursault Made from 100% Chardonnay. Large 600 liter barrels are used for some of this regular Meursault cuvee. The rest is vinified and matured in normal barrels for the first year, without much emphasis on new oak. With the thoughtfulness for which Arnaud is known, the percentage of new wood barrels used for his top wines has dropped from 35% to 20% and a variety of different barrel types are now used to increase the complexity of the final wine. The wine has classic Meursault aromas and flavors of lemon, lime, hazelnut and oatmeal. It is rich and lively; hints at dried fruits yet remains fresh. The wine has good structure and comes across as a minerally and less fruity than many vintages. The finish is still youthfully firm and persistent. Drink now through 2011. Pair with lobster, crab, white fish and chicken, particularly in creamy sauces. 91 Points Stephen Tanzer.

Heathcote II - Australia

Heathcote II is the product of two individuals, Peder Rosdal and Lionel Flutto and is all about producing premium red wines of the highest quality. Peder is the French trained winemaker and responsible for making the wine. He uses traditional yet modern winemaking techniques taken from his experiences in Europe and the US. Lionel is more involved in the viticulture side where the focus is on achieving balanced vines able to cope with summer stress. The wines are made purely from grapes grown on their Heathcote property and the vines are all dry grown. The yield is naturally very low, rarely exceeding 1.5 tons to the acre, which gives about 22 - 25 hl/hectare. The altitude of the property lies from 220 to 250 meters above sea level and it spans over 80 acres of undulating red Cambrian soil. However only 12 acres are planted into vines. Most of that being Shiraz, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The oldest vines have an average age of 10 years. New Plantings in 2004 also included Tempranillo.

FEATURED WINE: 2005 Shiraz H.D. The "H.D." is for hand-destemmed. Made from 100% Shiraz. When poured you will immediately see the wine color is a glass staining purple. A powerfully scented bouquet offers vivid blackberry, mulberry, mineral, anise and floral qualities. Deep, fleshy and sweet, with liqueur-like cherry and dark berry flavors, silky texture and a slow-mounting Asian spice character. Brighter red fruits linger on the strikingly long, juicy finish. This wine is just beginning to come into its own now and will age gracefully through 2020 with proper storage. 94 Points James Halliday.

SPARKLING WINE & CHAMPAGNE CLUB

Bodegas Naveran - Spain

Bodegas Naveran was founded in 1985 by Michel Gilleron Parellada of Swiss origin who owns 1,110 acres of vineyards in the town of Torrelavit. Four things makes Naveran unique; Consistency in producing superior quality sparkling wines; Entirely estate own vineyards allowing for higher quality control; Old vines resulting in smaller yields, increasing concentration and grape quality; and most importantly 85% of the Cavas made by Naveran are sold in France-the mother country of Champagne!

FEATURED WINE: 2006 Cava Brut Made from the three traditional Cava grapes; 50% Xarello, 30% Macabeo, and 20% Parellada. Xarello: An early budding Catalan grape providing body and structure. Parellada: Premium Catalan variety used for the production of Cava provides good acidity - the crunchy crispness of fresh apples and low alcohol. Macabeo: (also known as Viura) late budding, pale skinned grape and both grows well in hot climates and matures without oxidizing, nose of floral aromas with low acidity. The resulting wine has a citrusy nose; in the mouth it is clean, fruity, and dry with a great persistent finish.

Ca' di Pietra - Italy

The winery is located in the Veneto region of Italy about 30 minutes from Venice and is situated at the base of the Dolomite mountain range. An underground river runs thought the property filling the soil will rich magnesium and calcium which providing the vines with nutrients needed to make these world class wines. The winery is roughly 30 years old and has definitely made it mark in producing some of the best wines to come out of Italy. These wines are just now being introduced into the US market, only being sold in a few select states. This is the launch week for Texas, which should be a tremendous success.

FEATURED WINE: NV Prosecco Brut Made from 100% Prosecco. This wine is your more typical dry bubbly, with lots of the floral fragrance Prosecco has. It adds attractive notes of acacia flowers, meadow flowers, wild apples and honey and a bit of yeast or bread to the nose certainly a delicious wine you can enjoy before/during/after any meal or just out on the patio with friends.

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