$15 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes: This wine is made by two brothers in Sonoma who also own a boutique label, and they are not really excited about connecting the two brands.  So out of respect to them I won’t. . . but if you want to snoop around a bit that’s up to you.  Fact is, Pinot Patch is a friendly little pinot with a righteous price.  As the bros describe it:  A blend of hand-selected patches of Pinot Noir sourced throughout California, this wine shows the fruit and body of warm climates married with the structure and acidity of cooler, coastal sites.  You have an approachable and complex Pinot Noir that can be enjoyed any night of the week.”

Winery Tasting Notes: “The nose greets you with dusty cranberry notes leading to a core of blackberry fruit, herbal undertones of sage and lavender rounded out with hints of dried red fruits.  The first sip explodes with fresh red fruit, which continues into the mid palate is accompanied by spicy herbal complexities.  The body is light yet full with a lifting acidity that keeps the mouth engaged, finishing with fruit and zest.”

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes:  Very interesting backstory on winemaker Don Brady.  With a degree in horticulture from Texas Tech, he cut his teeth in—of all places—Texas.  Today his day job is with Robert Hall Winery in Paso where he was named “Winemaker of the Year” in 2006 by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.  During his watch, Robert Hall was named the top winery in the state when it won “Golden Winery” honors at the 2010 California State Fair.  He makes wine under his own label from fruit grown in his family’s 24-acre vineyard in the Estrella Valley.  Beyond the cab featured this month, he only makes petite sirah—just 250 cases—so a taste of that may be in your future!

Winery Tasting Notes:  The 2009 Brady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is big and bold, featuring deep crimson color and aromas reminiscent of blackberry, black currant and cassis with subtle notes of roasted vanilla and spice. On tasting, it shows opulent silky texture and juicy berry and bramble flavors that echo the aromas. The wine is luscious, full-bodied, balancing gentle acidity and just a hint of velvety oak that lengthens the finish. Enjoy by itself, or with smoked or roasted meats, sharp cheeses and with dishes with rich flavorful sauces.

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes:  Very interesting backstory on winemaker Don Brady.  With a degree in horticulture from Texas Tech, he cut his teeth in—of all places—Texas.  Today his day job is with Robert Hall Winery in Paso where he was named “Winemaker of the Year” in 2006 by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.  During his watch, Robert Hall was named the top winery in the state when it won “Golden Winery” honors at the 2010 California State Fair.  He makes wine under his own label from fruit grown in his family’s 24-acre vineyard in the Estrella Valley.  Beyond the cab featured this month, he only makes petite sirah—just 250 cases—so a taste of that may be in your future!

Winery Tasting Notes:  The 2009 Brady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is big and bold, featuring deep crimson color and aromas reminiscent of blackberry, black currant and cassis with subtle notes of roasted vanilla and spice. On tasting, it shows opulent silky texture and juicy berry and bramble flavors that echo the aromas. The wine is luscious, full-bodied, balancing gentle acidity and just a hint of velvety oak that lengthens the finish. Enjoy by itself, or with smoked or roasted meats, sharp cheeses and with dishes with rich flavorful sauces.

$72 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes: Twice in one month we have wines from Kirk Venge, progeny of one Nils Venge, a Napa legend.  This wine is 100% cab and all Napa fruit:  57% Star Vineyard and 43 Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper.  Since it was aged for 22 months on 85% new French oak barrels, you can believe Kirk’s claim it will cellar for 25 years.

Winery Tasting Notes: “The wine begins with a dark purple invitation. The aromas play to the tune of heady blackberry, dark chocolate-dipped cherry, faint dried herbs and a mixture of oak spice and vanilla. Its presence is rich. The palate is medium to full body with liveliness and a youthful structure. Black fruit, mature vine age and dignified terroir are the key pieces in defining this wine. Even though this is very young wine, it has the pedigree, poise and maturity of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet. It is difficult to wait patiently to see what becomes of this Cab in its twilight years. I’m banking on nothing less than breathtaking. Cellared correctly, this wine should survive to 2027 and beyond.”

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes:  Another small producer that we love to uncover in the hills of wine country, Le Pich is actually one of two brands produced by  Julien Fayard.   He makes a cab and sauv blanc on this label.  His other is PURLIEU, and he makes only a cab.  Very nice

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aged in %100 stainless steel barrels with no malolactic fermentation this elegantly balanced wine permeates the air with Meyer lemon and fresh herbs from the garden.  With wet Flint minerality aroma subtly lingering in the background the richness of honeydew melon lychee nuts coats the palate and is surrounded by ruby red grapefruit. The balance of richness and acidity keeps the wine clean but textured.”

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes: We love finding unique wines for our club members. . .wines made from grapes that are new even to us; wines made is such small lots you’ll seldom have the opportunity to taste them.  The Macauley Tocai Friulano could be our poster child.  I had never heard of the grape. . .perhaps because there are only two vineyards in Napa producing it—and the Nihelini Vineyard from where these grapes were sourced dates back to 1946. . .that’s “old vine” baby!  This stuff is very dry and crisp with a stiff mineral core.  We hope you love it, and if you do, better getcha sum because when it’s gone, it’s gone!  P.S.  Kirk Venge is one of the young turks of Napa from a winemaking dynasty.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Tocai Friulano, or simply Friulano as we refer to it, is a seldom-seen wine in Napa Valley. . .or the US for that matter.  It is also known as Sauvignon Vert and Muscadelle.  It is an incredibly interesting varietal that unfortunately hides in the shadow of more popular whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.  This wine is as refreshing as the day is long! It begins with a very pale, straw color.  The nose is packed with the type of nervous minerality you get from cold, wet river stones.  As the wine warms up, new but delicate aromas of dried apricot and pear come forward.  The palate speaks further to the minerality of the wine, based in part from both the varietal characteristics and aging in stainless steel and concrete egg.  Flavors are nothing short of savory and delicious.  Perfect for the heat and flavor of the summertime, this vibrant white yearns for prosciutto melon, sautéed scallops or raw oysters on the half shell.”  –Kirk Venge, Winemaker

$35 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes:  Here’s a limited wine with great scores.  I love the fact that the winemaker hails from South Africa, a place where they have expertise in crafting white wines.  Fruit for this wine was grown in Alexander Valley where seismic activity near the vineyard literally caused the “broken road” for which this wine is named.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Bright yellow-straw. Pungent lime zest, green tropical fruits, pineapple and snap pea on the nose. Densely packed, tight and minerally, with terrific definition and a tactile quality reminiscent of peach nectar. Very concentrated, vibrant wine with a long, lightly saline finish. From vines planted at 1,800 feet.”

“Wine Advocate” Tasting Notes:  “The 2010 Chardonnay Broken Road is a textured wine graced with notable depth and richness. This is a slightly fatter style than the Upper Barn, but there is no shortage of minerality or vibrancy here. The Broken Road comes across as quite round and totally complete. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018.”  –Antonio Galloni 

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes:  Very interesting backstory on winemaker Don Brady.  With a degree in horticulture from Texas Tech, he cut his teeth in—of all places—Texas.  Today his day job is with Robert Hall Winery in Paso where he was named “Winemaker of the Year” in 2006 by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.  During his watch, Robert Hall was named the top winery in the state when it won “Golden Winery” honors at the 2010 California State Fair.  He makes wine under his own label from fruit grown in his family’s 24-acre vineyard in the Estrella Valley.  Beyond the cab featured this month, he only makes petite sirah—just 250 cases—so a taste of that may be in your future!

Winery Tasting Notes:  The 2009 Brady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is big and bold, featuring deep crimson color and aromas reminiscent of blackberry, black currant and cassis with subtle notes of roasted vanilla and spice. On tasting, it shows opulent silky texture and juicy berry and bramble flavors that echo the aromas. The wine is luscious, full-bodied, balancing gentle acidity and just a hint of velvety oak that lengthens the finish. Enjoy by itself, or with smoked or roasted meats, sharp cheeses and with dishes with rich flavorful sauces.

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes: We love finding unique wines for our club members. . .wines made from grapes that are new even to us; wines made is such small lots you’ll seldom have the opportunity to taste them.  The Macauley Tocai Friulano could be our poster child.  I had never heard of the grape. . .perhaps because there are only two vineyards in Napa producing it—and the Nihelini Vineyard from where these grapes were sourced dates back to 1946. . .that’s “old vine” baby!  This stuff is very dry and crisp with a stiff mineral core.  We hope you love it, and if you do, better getcha sum because when it’s gone, it’s gone!  P.S.  Kirk Venge is one of the young turks of Napa from a winemaking dynasty.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Tocai Friulano, or simply Friulano as we refer to it, is a seldom-seen wine in Napa Valley. . .or the US for that matter.  It is also known as Sauvignon Vert and Muscadelle.  It is an incredibly interesting varietal that unfortunately hides in the shadow of more popular whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.  This wine is as refreshing as the day is long! It begins with a very pale, straw color.  The nose is packed with the type of nervous minerality you get from cold, wet river stones.  As the wine warms up, new but delicate aromas of dried apricot and pear come forward.  The palate speaks further to the minerality of the wine, based in part from both the varietal characteristics and aging in stainless steel and concrete egg.  Flavors are nothing short of savory and delicious.  Perfect for the heat and flavor of the summertime, this vibrant white yearns for prosciutto melon, sautéed scallops or raw oysters on the half shell.”  –Kirk Venge, Winemaker

$72 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes: Twice in one month we have wines from Kirk Venge, progeny of one Nils Venge, a Napa legend.  This wine is 100% cab and all Napa fruit:  57% Star Vineyard and 43 Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper.  Since it was aged for 22 months on 85% new French oak barrels, you can believe Kirk’s claim it will cellar for 25 years.

Winery Tasting Notes: “The wine begins with a dark purple invitation. The aromas play to the tune of heady blackberry, dark chocolate-dipped cherry, faint dried herbs and a mixture of oak spice and vanilla. Its presence is rich. The palate is medium to full body with liveliness and a youthful structure. Black fruit, mature vine age and dignified terroir are the key pieces in defining this wine. Even though this is very young wine, it has the pedigree, poise and maturity of a classic Napa Valley Cabernet. It is difficult to wait patiently to see what becomes of this Cab in its twilight years. I’m banking on nothing less than breathtaking. Cellared correctly, this wine should survive to 2027 and beyond.”

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Gary’s Notes:  Another small producer that we love to uncover in the hills of wine country, Le Pich is actually one of two brands produced by  Julien Fayard.   He makes a cab and sauv blanc on this label.  His other is PURLIEU, and he makes only a cab.  Very nice

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aged in %100 stainless steel barrels with no malolactic fermentation this elegantly balanced wine permeates the air with Meyer lemon and fresh herbs from the garden.  With wet Flint minerality aroma subtly lingering in the background the richness of honeydew melon lychee nuts coats the palate and is surrounded by ruby red grapefruit. The balance of richness and acidity keeps the wine clean but textured.”