Platinum Wine Club - August 2012
Learn the finer points to many of the wines we offer each month. Our club wines are expertly researched and selected for quality, value and uniqueness and every one has an interesting history. Here are some of the wines we are offering this month:
Château Naujan Lapereyre - France
2009 Cuvee Tradition Bordeaux Supérieur
Like most Old World countries, France doesn’t traditionally promote the name of the varietal on the label, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Instead it regulates the grapes used in each wine producing region (appellation). In Bordeaux, the whites are primarily Sauvignon Blanc and the reds are a blend of grapes, primarily Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon depending on the region. Château Naujan Lapereyre 2009 Cuvee is a traditional Bordeaux blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. After going through the malolactic fermentation, the maceration before fermentation, and micro-oxygenation under pomace, the wine ages in oak barrels for 14 months (10% new barrels, 60% in barrels used once, and 30% in barrels used twice). The result is a well-made wine you can start to drink as of today (decant it about two hours before serving). The wine pours a lovely dark ruby color with orange highlights. The nose offers an elegant bouquet, that is both intense and complex where you can discover the aromas of candied red and black berries (cherry, blackberry), tobacco, leather and burnt wood. On the palate, tannins are present but well coated promote the development of aromas of cassis, blueberry, toast and fresh vanilla. The oak is well balanced and elegant. It is very round and has some heat in the mouth. Drink now through 2016.
Hahn SLH Estate - Soledad, California
2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
The spectacular beauty of California 's central coast is probably the best-known region in all of California for its unique lifestyle. Monterey County's dramatic ocean scenery, historic communities, artistic culture, verdant pine forests, and bountiful agriculture have beckoned adventure-seekers, seafarers, artists, writers and vacationers for over 100 years. And the 99 miles of breathtaking Pacific coastline is something no other California county can boast. With an inspiration to raise Monterey wines to the highest level, the wines of Hahn Winery are created with a philosophy that all great wines are special – akin to the region they were grown in. The Hahn wines celebrate everything that is Monterey – unique in thought, style and setting. Wines of Monterey Distinction. In German, “Hahn” means “Rooster” and for this reason a rooster embellishes the Hahn Winery label, honoring the Hahn family's European heritage. The Hahn SLH Estate Chardonnay was harvested primarily from the 156-acre Lone Oak Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. The gentle slopes of this northern vineyard face east, catching the early morning sun, while ocean breezes from Monterey Bay cool the vineyard, making it ideal for growing Chardonnay grapes. This golden-hued 100% Chardonnay fills the nose with pleasant aromas of ripe pear, violets and lavender with a subtle note of allspice. A distinct creaminess on the palate shows off the French oak aging and lees-stirring and lends this full-bodied Chardonnay a sense of opulence and sophistication. Try this wine with a Tuscan herb-roasted chicken, sweet potato gnocchi with brown-butter and sage, roasted wild salmon, or a rich and creamy risotto with shellfish.
Saint Clair Estate Wines – New Zealand
2006 Pinot Noir Marlborough
Saint Clair Family Estate is owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, viticulture pioneers in Marlborough since 1978. Grapes were originally supplied to local wine companies; however a desire to extend the quality achieved in the vineyard through to the finished wine led to the establishment of Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994. The Saint Clair name originates from the vineyard property, first settled by the Sinclair family. Pioneer James Sinclair built one of the first homes in Blenheim and was closely associated with the early development of the town. Over time the name of the property reverted to the original Saint Clair. The company's mission is to create world-class wines that exceed their customers every expectation. Neal Ibbotson combines his extensive viticultural expertise plus Marlborough’s mix of climate and soils with the talent of one of New Zealand’s leading winemaking teams, led by Matt Thomson and Hamish Clark. Saint Clair's 2006 Pinot Noir is sourced from 100% Pinot Noir. The fruit was sourced from a number of specifically chosen low cropping vineyards from several sub-regions in Marlborough, including the Omaka Valley and the mouth of the Waihopai Valley. Leading up to harvest constant analysis and tasting of each block was carried out to determine when the flavors were at their optimum. It pours a deep red with purple hues. It has aromas of ripe dark fruits with a raspberry leaf lift complemented by subtle spice and savory notes. On the palate it is a mouth filling medium-bodied Pinot Noir showing black currant and black cherry with hints of ripe raspberry and redcurrant. This wine has a soft, full palate, well balanced acidity and supple tannins. A well-integrated mixture of new and older French oak provides rich, savory notes on the palate with a full, persistent finish. Drinking beautifully from the outset, this wine can be enjoyed now or with careful cellaring, will mature into a fuller, more complex wine that can be enjoyed through 2014.
Platinum Wine Club Shopping Cart