West Coast Wine Club - September 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:
Tin House Winery - Santa Maria, California
2007 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
Tin House is a small family-owned and operated winery making some of the most notable wines to come out of California's Central Coast. Gathering only the best fruit from this region of foggy canyons and sea-swept valleys they concentrate on three varietals: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Because they only produce limited vintages, their wines exhibit intimate craftsmanship and have a distinct artisan character. Winemaking has been a family trait at Tin House Winery for generations. Their 2007 Pinot Noir is produced from two pioneering clones planted in early California - Martini and Mariafeld in the Santa Maria Appellation. The result is elegant balance, character, and brilliant color. Vibrant aromas of wild strawberry, red currents, raspberry, and pomegranates are supported by an age-worthy finish. Aged 17 months in 500 liter French Oak casks, has given it complexity and richness. This wine will pair wonderfully with salmon grilled with honey mustard, grilled portabella and mozzarella cheese sandwiches, or assorted Chinese food such as Orange Chicken, pot stickers, and chicken in a plum sauce.
A to Z Wineworks - Oregon
2006 Chemin de Terre
Founded in 2002, A to Z is Oregon's fastest growing winery. The business model is simple: to produce and market Oregon's best wines by concentrating on their core competencies of acquisition, blending and marketing. A to Z's partnership blends unique skills. Bill Hatcher brought an extensive background in strategy and finance to the Oregon wine industry and Domaine Drouhin Oregon, which he managed for 13 years before founding A to Z. Bill hired renowned winemakers Sam Tannahill and Cheryl Francis, winemakers respectively for Archery Summit and Chehalem for 8 years, who brought in creativity and technical expertise resulting in fantastic Oregon wines. Made from an artful blend of 44% Merlot, 17.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.5% Syrah, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Sangiovese, 4% Grenache, and 2% Pinot Noir. All fruit was sourced southern Oregon's Rogue Valley. Aromas of berries (boysenberries, blackberries, raspberries), Bing cherries, coffee, cocoa and tobacco. With aeration, aromas of plums, pepper, truffles, minerals and cedar emerge. In the mouth, the succulent flavors mirror the aromatics without compromising the wine's serious nature. A classic tannin/fruit balance gives shape and elegance to the wine while good acidity promises some ageing ability. These big 2006 wines were aged in French oak for 18 months and then aged an additional 15 months in bottle and will drink well now and for another two to five years.
Guild Winemakers - Newberg, Oregon
2011 Pinot Grigio Columbia Valley
Guild Winemakers is a cooperative of four Portland, Oregon, vintners producing wines of exceptional value for the masses. They are John Grochau (Grochau Cellars), Vincent Fritzsche (Vincent Wine Company), and Anne Hubatch (Helioterra Wines). The fourth winemaking partner, who works full time for a Willamette Valley winery and participates in guild activities during his off hours, declined to be identified for citing his allegiance to his employer. It's all part of the delicious mystery surrounding the guild, which doesn't disclose its vineyard sources. Its spare label, a medieval woodblock depicting a winemaking guild at work, simply states either the varietal and vintage. That's it. The reason for the secrecy? The guild is a négociant business, which means that it purchases excess fruit and finished wine from other wineries at discount prices. It's common practice for négociants to keep their sources to themselves; the members say they are getting grapes from premier Columbia and Willamette Valley sites that, when bottled as single-vineyard wines, sell for two to four times the price. Guild’s 2011 Pinot Grigio is sourced from 100% Columbia Valley fruit. It is a dry and refreshing style with fruit aromas of pears, white peach and subtle notes of honeysuckle and melon. It's medium-bodied and crisp on the palate with lively flavors of predominantly melon. Drink now through 2014. Pairs beautifully with antipasto, summer salads, ripe white cheeses and simple seafood such as steamed clams and oysters.
Back to your shopping cart