$34.50 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Over the years, we’ve featured at least a half dozen wines from Tallulah, owned by winemaker Mike Drash.  After moving to California from the Florida Keys (he is a native of Memphis, TN), Mike started his career in wine as a cellar rat at DeLoach Vineyards and then moved on to Jordan, Far Niente and Luna.

In November 2009, Mike left his post at Luna and began to focus on Tallulah Wines, which happened to be his daughter’s first name.  Silent film star Tallulah Bankhead is a distant cousin on his mother’s side, hence the sultry lady on the label.

Tallulah focuses on single vineyard wines from sustainable and organic vineyards and there is no fining or filtering of the wines.  This wine is produced from fruit from one Carpe Vino’s favorite viticulturists, Ann Kraemer of Shake Ridge Vineyards who also has her own brand, Yorba (Shenandoah Valley).  GAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The syrah Shake Ridge exhibits peppery, blackberry fruit intermixed with some gamy meatiness, good purity and depth, and a solidly structured finish.”

$8.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This wine is from one of my favorite Spanish producers, Juan Gil in the southeastern part of Spain in an established growing region near Jumilla.  The winery is called Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil, a family operation that dates back to 1916 and named in honor of the founder, Juan Gil Giménez.

Monastrel is a grape native to the region where the winery is located.  The grapes produce full bodied wines, ruby-red in color with robust fruit flavors.

We’ve brought you many wines from Juan Gil, most notably a monster granacha and the 2007 vintage of the Honoro Vera Monastrell that earned 90 points from Robert Parker (he absolutely adores this winery).  As far as I know, this vintage is not yet rated.

I had hoped to visit Juan Gil last October when I led a group of Carpe Vino Wine Club members to Spain last October.  Alas, too many wineries spread to far apart and too little time.  Maybe next trip to España!  GAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Intense, deep red cherry color.  Powerful nose, clean and complex.  Very attractive, fruity aromas with ripe fruit and reminders of new wood.  Well constituted in the mouth, well structured, lively and tasty; well balanced.”

$45 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Everything about the MacPhail Family Wines is small.  First, of course, it is family-owned, which connotes “small”.  The winery building, completed in time to receive the 2008 harvest, is just 4,400 square feet.  The barrel room bursts at the seams at 300 barrels; and James MacPhail’s use permit is capped at 5,000 cases, so it’s unlikely that you’ll ever see his wines in a box store.

What’s not small are the flavors and quality of MacPhail wines.  His big dawg is the Sonoma Pinot Noir, consuming about half of his annual production cap.  This spring he released five pinots, a chardonnay and a rosé of pinot. . .that’s it.

MacPhail comes from a family of Sonoma dairy farmers, and even though he eared a dual degree in business and hospitality management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he decided to follow his calling in winemaking.  He launched his own brand in 2002 and opened a full-on winery building near his home in Healdsburg in 2008.  There is no tasting room, but visitors are welcome by appointment only (707-433-4780).  GAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “There’s a question going around: ‘is more better?’ In this case, I’ve been able to cherry pick lots from eight distinct vineyards on the cool Sonoma Coast, and I’d have to say, ‘why yes it is!’ Bright red fruits jump from the glass, led by cherry, raspberry and pomegranate, in both aromas and flavors. There’s a spicy sassiness with notes of cedar and clove and a touch of white pepper. Smooth tannins highlight a wonderful mouthfeel in this balanced overview of all the Sonoma Coast can be. Honestly, there are nine clones and vineyard blocks of grand maturity and feisty youth represented here. It’s really no surprise how well the Sonoma Coast is showcased in this exceptional cuvée. Enjoy… and think about trying one of the vineyard designates found here, to contrast and compare.”  –James MacPhail

$40 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Not much to report about this puppy because this is the first release (late in 2013) of a new winery called Barrel Head Cellars.  Here’s how the father-son team describes its launch:  “Barrel Head was established to create quality wines with spirited and rebellious personalities. With the bestowed experience of father and winemaker Michael Pozzan, Barrel Head aims to deliver premium cult wines that bring a fun and against-the-grain attitude to Napa Valley.”

This is a genuinely capable first effort, and we’ll follow this cab-making duo.  Keep you posted!  GAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Radiates deep plum and ruby-colored hues, and will continue to improve for up to15 years (don’t forget to decant!).  The aromas are well defined with concentrated cassis and ripe black cherry, backed by mocha and toasted vanilla notes.  On the palate, this full-bodied tannic cabernet has firm mid-palate presence and loads of cellar-worthy potential. As the spectrum of flavors unfolds, the huckleberry and raspberry give way to a complex mocha, coffee, vanilla matrix —all balanced under the fruit notes, giving the wine a tingly and silky finish.

This is a serious cabernet sauvignon—a truly wonderful splurge. Try it with a mushroom-encrusted filet mignon served with sun-dried tomato compote and a side of roasted blue potatoes with sea salt.  When cellared properly, will drink well through 2030.”

$21.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’re featuring two wines from Maldonado this month, so check out the chardonnay review for more details about this winery.

When the Maldonado label started in 2002, the introductory offering was chardonnay.  Since then, the winery has added several pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, a red blend and now pinot gris.  During a recent tasting of all the Maldonado wines, the 2012 pinot gris was hands down on our favorite wine, and we’re coinfident you will enjoy it too.  It’s going to be perfect for the summer months ahead  DAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Color: Light clover honey, accented with the brightness of lemon verbena.  Nose: Ripe pear and white nectarine, punctuated by enticing, subtle notes of spicy coriander.  Palate: Lush and mouth-filling; white peach and citrus mingled with soft floral overtones that evolve into a bright, yet rich, lingering finish.”

$18 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

If you are looking for the best value wine label on the market, it has to be “Luli” hands down, a partnership between Master Sommelier Sara Floyd and our absolutely favorite wine growing/winemaking family…the Pisoni’s.  The idea was simple, purchase grapes from excellent Santa Lucia Highland and/or other central coast growers to produce affordable, yet inspirational wines.

Carpe Vino has been an avid supporter of Luli since its very first release in 2010.  They started with just a pinot and chard, but now have expanded their portfolio with syrah, rosé and sauvignon blanc.  The first vintage of sauvignon blanc was released two years ago and quickly became Carpe Vino’s Best Selling example of the varietal in the store.  The 2013 picks up right where the ’12 left off, and we are confident you will be back for more!  DAM

Winery Tasting Notes:

“Perfumed and expressive. Luli Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from a very windy and cool vineyard in the neighboring Arroyo Seco appellation. The wine shows a nice blend of the tropic fruit and the greener notes often found in this variety. This wine was fermented in neutral barrels with some lees contact time and limited stirring, which enhances the beauty of the sauvignon blanc while maintaining a delicate and complex varietal character.”

$33 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’re featuring two wines from Tallulah this month, so for more info, check out the syrah write up this month. . .

Even though Tallulah’s portfolio has expanded, Drash’s Orchard Vineyard Chardonnay still ranks supreme in our book.  The famed “Orchard Avenue Vineyard” was used by Chateau Montelena for their “Judgment of Paris” winning 1973 Chardonnay (checkout the movie Bottle Shock) and as years have gone by the wine still remains a winner!   DAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This creamy white exudes pastry and Key lime pie aromas and flavors, accented by toast and mineral. Though powerful, its weight is tempered by a structured mid palate. It all converges on the long, resonant finish. The wine will age for a decade or more and is a perfect complement to scallops, oysters and white risotto.”

$33 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’re featuring two wines from Tallulah this month, so for more info, check out the syrah write up this month. . .

Even though Tallulah’s portfolio has expanded, Drash’s Orchard Vineyard Chardonnay still ranks supreme in our book.  The famed “Orchard Avenue Vineyard” was used by Chateau Montelena for their “Judgment of Paris” winning 1973 Chardonnay (checkout the movie Bottle Shock) and as years have gone by the wine still remains a winner!   DAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This creamy white exudes pastry and Key lime pie aromas and flavors, accented by toast and mineral. Though powerful, its weight is tempered by a structured mid palate. It all converges on the long, resonant finish. The wine will age for a decade or more and is a perfect complement to scallops, oysters and white risotto.”

$8.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This wine is from one of my favorite Spanish producers, Juan Gil in the southeastern part of Spain in an established growing region near Jumilla.  The winery is called Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil, a family operation that dates back to 1916 and named in honor of the founder, Juan Gil Giménez.

Monastrel is a grape native to the region where the winery is located.  The grapes produce full bodied wines, ruby-red in color with robust fruit flavors.

We’ve brought you many wines from Juan Gil, most notably a monster granacha and the 2007 vintage of the Honoro Vera Monastrell that earned 90 points from Robert Parker (he absolutely adores this winery).  As far as I know, this vintage is not yet rated.

I had hoped to visit Juan Gil last October when I led a group of Carpe Vino Wine Club members to Spain last October.  Alas, too many wineries spread to far apart and too little time.  Maybe next trip to España!  GAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Intense, deep red cherry color.  Powerful nose, clean and complex.  Very attractive, fruity aromas with ripe fruit and reminders of new wood.  Well constituted in the mouth, well structured, lively and tasty; well balanced.”

$41.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Rombauer, Frank Family and Butter may all be household names when you think of California chardonnay, but now you can add Maldonado to the list.  Maldonado is a family affair that started with patriarch, Lupe, who began working for Sterling Vineyards in 1962.  He was only 19 years old.

Lupe split 30 years as vineyard manager for over 30 years between Peter Newton’s wineries—Sterling Vineyards and Newton Vineyards.  Lupe’s son, Hugo, succeeded his father as vineyard manager of Newton in 1999.

Lupe would go on to purchase a 10-acre parcel of land in Jamieson Canyon, one of the coolest (temperature) regions in the Napa Valley.  This was a major step, but to complete the puzzle the family needed to construct a full-blown a winery.  In 2007, their dream came to fruition with the purchase of a 12-acre property in Calistoga where they built a winery and dug out 3,600 square feet of earth for their cave.  Wouldn’t you know, the family did all the work for that, too!

Even though the first vintage of Maldonado Vineyards wine was released in 2002,  the wine has only recently been offered to the broad market.  We have been huge fans since we introducing the “Parr Vineyard” Chardonnay in Carpe Vinoabout three years ago.  This month’s club selection, the 2011 “Los Olivios” Chardonnay, was the mostly highly rated California chardonnay in a recent review by Wine Spectator receiving 92 Points!   DAM

“Wine Spectator” Notes (92 pts.):

“A compelling 2011, rich, smooth and layered, with ripe pear fruit and subtle honey, butterscotch and honeydew notes, gaining a dash of oak and ending with a hint of fig. Drink now through 2020.”

$40 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Not much to report about this puppy because this is the first release (late in 2013) of a new winery called Barrel Head Cellars.  Here’s how the father-son team describes its launch:  “Barrel Head was established to create quality wines with spirited and rebellious personalities. With the bestowed experience of father and winemaker Michael Pozzan, Barrel Head aims to deliver premium cult wines that bring a fun and against-the-grain attitude to Napa Valley.”

This is a genuinely capable first effort, and we’ll follow this cab-making duo.  Keep you posted!  GAM

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Radiates deep plum and ruby-colored hues, and will continue to improve for up to15 years (don’t forget to decant!).  The aromas are well defined with concentrated cassis and ripe black cherry, backed by mocha and toasted vanilla notes.  On the palate, this full-bodied tannic cabernet has firm mid-palate presence and loads of cellar-worthy potential. As the spectrum of flavors unfolds, the huckleberry and raspberry give way to a complex mocha, coffee, vanilla matrix —all balanced under the fruit notes, giving the wine a tingly and silky finish.

This is a serious cabernet sauvignon—a truly wonderful splurge. Try it with a mushroom-encrusted filet mignon served with sun-dried tomato compote and a side of roasted blue potatoes with sea salt.  When cellared properly, will drink well through 2030.”