$29.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Upon returning home from Spain, the Paydirt Red Wine was the first California juice I tasted in more than two weeks.  What a homecoming!  Spanish wines I encountered were uniformly wonderful, but returning to my roots was sweet!

Mac Myers and Patrick McNeil are two Gaelic boys making wine in Paso Robles.  So far, their portfolio consists only of sauvignon blanc and the red wine we’re presenting to the Wine Club.  What a treat!  I really appreciate the massive fruit of zinfandel/syrah blends, and the petit really jacks this up in color and depth; the grenache softens the entry and overall impression of the wine.  Very, very nice effort.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The dark, black fruit from the Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah play the leading role in this five varietal heritage blend. Red fruit elements emanate from the Grenache, while the Mourvedre lends an inky, earthy impression and weight to the palate. This wine is complex, concentrated, and well-structured. It erupts with endless plum, blackberry, and currant as well as anise, licorice, black pepper, and other savory notes. The acid and tannins are well-managed, balanced, and a perfect match for this ripe and generous Paso Robles red wine.

$16.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt 

There is a sleepy little town just off the 101 less than 25 miles south of Paso Robles called Santa Margarita.  No value judgment intended, but the only reason to stop is to visit the Ancient Peaks tasting room. . .which I did earlier this year on a swing through the Central Coast.  We have an established relationship with the winery, dating back to our purchase of an earlier vintage of their zinfandel—tasty juice that we couldn’t keep on the shelves.

This one is a delightful daily drinker that will please both your palate and your pocketbook.  The 2010 Cab is clearly a Paso product, smooth and silky with tannins so friendly the only sensible thing to do is drink this wine right now.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon offers warm aromas of dusty black cherry and plum with hints of cocoa and anise. Dense, layered flavors of black currant and blackberry are accented by notes of vanilla, tobacco and spice. Plush tannins glide into a lengthy, luscious finish.”

$40 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Did you guess already?  Petit Betârd is French for “little bastard.”  Cute name, but this wine is anything but “petit” (if it was, it wouldn’t be in Carpe Vino!).  There’s a lot going on in this bottle, and it’s all good.

Xtant released its first wine in 2002, and it is owned by two industry luminaries:  Jeffrey O’Neill, product of three generations of wine making and chairman emeritus of the Wine Institute.  Laurence Vosti is a real estate developer who has owned both a restaurant and wine shop; he’s also former president of the California Vintage Wine Society.  Winemaker Jeff Gaffner has 20 years of experience, including a stint at Chateau St. Jean where he worked on the famous blend, Cinq Cepages.

Winery Tasting Notes:   “A classically structured wine—intense, dark fruit:  black cherry, plum, blueberry, raspberry and cassis with Dark chocolate, cedar and sweet tobacco.  A dense color with notes of lavender, black licorice, brown spice and leather.  A complex and balanced wine with soft tannins and an elegant finish.”

$40 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

The Sergio brand is one of two projects that are owned by Anna Monticelli, a U.C. Davis graduate who has nearly 15 years of winemaking experience.  She has worked under Philippe Melka of Bryant Family Vineyard fame, as well as working a harvest at the Famed Chateau Cheval-Blanc in France and two years as Seavey Vineyards.  Today she is winemaker at Pina Cellars in Rutherford where she also produces two labels, Sergio and Ilaria, named after her son and daughter respectively.

Anna is absolutely driven to make great wines.  She explained:  “My goal is to produce small-lot wines that will stand as testaments to my belief that fine wine comes from the earth, its sense of place a key component in shaping its character.”

Her husband is also a winemaker, now at Trinchero of Napa Valley.  His father worked for 40 years as a winemaker at Gallo.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Bursting with aromas of blueberry, black cherry and currant.  The wine displays integrated layers of dark fruits, roasted herbs, volcanic rock and infused French oak.  The 2010 Sergio offers a hedonistic and generous mouthfeel and soft, fine-grained tannins on the finish.”

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Dragonette Cellars is another little gem that we discovered on a trip through Santa Barbara a couple of years ago.  Started by John and Steve Dragonette along with close friend Brandon Sparks-Gillis, the goal was simple: make wines that they want to drink.  With a strong retail background, the three friends wanted to get away from the high-alcohol, fat, over-ripe wines and back to a pure wine with more balance and complexity.  The primary varieties they work with are sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and Rhones.  The trio also makes wine for a label called “Liquid Farm,” which you will always find stocked at Carpe Vino.  Liquid Farm produces three chardonnays that are the polar opposite of Rombauer Chardonnay.  No big butter bomb here…these are classic Burgundian style chards with mid-level alcohol levels, crisper flavors and minimal oak usage.

Though these gents make some amazing, powerful pinot noir, syrah and syrah based blends, there just isn’t a better bang for the buck then their Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Pale golden in color, the wine displays aromas of guava, honeydew, white peaches, green apple, kiwi, lemon and other citrus notes and hints of fresh pineapple, complicated by mineral notes, sea salt, white flowers, gentle fresh basil and thyme and faraway hints of fresh cut grass. On the palate the wine is medium bodied, yet substantial, as waves of fresh tropical fruits, nectarines, and melons build in the mouth before being enveloped in ripe round acidity and mineral notes of granite, and sea shells. On the finish, the wine displays a fascinating complexity, as the fruit, mineral and herbal notes intermingle and dance across the palate, ending with a slight creaminess, which still maintains freshness and balance. The wine is built for all manner of seafood and poultry dishes (especially on the grill), pastas (pesto, primavera, light cream sauces), rice dishes (paella would be a great match), cheese (esp. goat cheese) and vegetables.”

“Wine Advocate” Tasting Notes:  “An outstanding white, the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc offers up subtle grassy notes as well as white peach, cream and citrus blossom to go with a medium-bodied, richly textured palate that stays pure and fresh. Barrel-fermented and aged just under eight months on lees, it has notable richness, yet never seems heavy or cumbersome. Enjoy it over the coming 3 to 4 years. Drink now-2017.”

$49.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

There is no secret that we are huge fans of the Pisoni family: Mark (grower), Jeff (winemaker) and Gary (legacy)!  Some of our greatest memories in the wine business can be attributed to the time spent with these gentlemen and/or the stories about them when we are sharing their wine with others.  The fact of the matter is that Pisoni is truly one of the best in our state and we are fortunate to be offered a supply of their bounty every year.

The winery is located outside of the small town of Gonzalez in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Known mostly for farming produce, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni (Roar) have quickly put SLH on the map as a premier wine growing region.  They have both have been awarded many 90-point scores by both The Wine Advocate and The Wine Spectator,” creating a huge demand that is generally satisfied through their own mailing lists!

This month we are offering up the Lucia “Soberanes Vineyard” Chardonnay of which only 97 cases produced (roughly 4 barrels)!  Adding to its luster is this wine was recently awarded 93 Points from The Wine Advocate.  If you enjoy this and would like tio purchase more…we may have a few extra bottles stashed away!

Winery Tasting Notes:   “The green-gold hued Lucia Soberanes Chardonnay has a laser-like focus of mineral and citrus driven notes. The aromatics entice the taster to swirl and watch the beautiful perfume unfold.  Undertones in the bouquet consist of almond skin, crème brûlée and orange blossom. The palate is extra-long and layered, flowing together into a seamless and drawn-out finish with refreshing acid structure. Drink now or age for a decade.”

“Wine Advocate” Tasting Notes:  “More focused, pure and elegant, the 2011 Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard offers up plenty of tropical and stone fruits, vanilla and cream as well as a balanced, classically structured mouthfeel. A beautiful, classy white, it should shine for 4-5 years. Dink now-2018.

“This estate is managed by the Pisoni Family, and high quality and realistic prices are the name of the game here. Year in, year out, these wines over-deliver. While 2011 was an extremely cool, long season, these wines have beautiful ripeness as well as clean, pure aromas and flavors.”

$ (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt 

You know the Moffat boys are always on the hunt for great value wines to offer Wine Clubbers, and this time we’re presenting a truly affordable chardonnay. . .one with vibrant fruit flavors and delicate undertones of vanilla and toastiness.  This is not—repeat, not—a buttery/oak bomb; it’s green apple and pear flavors are silky and creamy with lush staying power.

Rickshaw Wines was established in 2010, along with Banshee premium wines, by a group of you winemakers who source juice from all over California and then take their time to blend cabernet sauvignon, chard and pinot.  We’re going to hear (and taste) more from these up-and-comers—wait and see!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The Rickshaw chardonnay has all the elegance of its Sonoma Coast peers, blended with rich notes of crème brûlée and topped with ripe tropical fruits. For this vintage, we scoured vineyards all over California looking for the perfect balance of zip and lusciousness. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine was aged in French and American Oak barrels for six months to add a toasty complexity.”

$29.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Upon returning home from Spain, the Paydirt Red Wine was the first California juice I tasted in more than two weeks.  What a homecoming!  Spanish wines I encountered were uniformly wonderful, but returning to my roots was sweet!

Mac Myers and Patrick McNeil are two Gaelic boys making wine in Paso Robles.  So far, their portfolio consists only of sauvignon blanc and the red wine we’re presenting to the Wine Club.  What a treat!  I really appreciate the massive fruit of zinfandel/syrah blends, and the petit really jacks this up in color and depth; the grenache softens the entry and overall impression of the wine.  Very, very nice effort.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The dark, black fruit from the Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Sirah play the leading role in this five varietal heritage blend. Red fruit elements emanate from the Grenache, while the Mourvedre lends an inky, earthy impression and weight to the palate. This wine is complex, concentrated, and well-structured. It erupts with endless plum, blackberry, and currant as well as anise, licorice, black pepper, and other savory notes. The acid and tannins are well-managed, balanced, and a perfect match for this ripe and generous Paso Robles red wine.

$44.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’re really excited about this wine!  Production is so low that we had just barely had enough to cover the wine club this month!  Deovlet is an independent label conceived by owner/winemaker Ryan Deovlet who specializes in crafting chardonnay, pinot noir and Rhone varieties from the San Luis Obispo region.  To support his own winery, Ryan also makes wine for Refugio Ranch Vineyard…which if you are ever in Los Olivios, apparently Refugio have a “cowboy” style atmosphere tasting room where you can taste both Refugio Ranch and Deovlet (Deovlet is not advertised outside).

Deovlet was recently rated by “The Wine Advocate” and received 92 Points for this “Bien Nacido Vineyard” Pinot Noir.  Mr Galloni also had some rather nice things to say about Ryan including: “One of the new generation of emerging producers in the Central Coast. The Pinots in particular are impressive… Readers who can find the wines should not hesitate.”  We agree!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “A beautifully floral nose lifted with rose petal and potpourri, combining cinnamon stick with forest floor and hints of pine, together with blood orange, candied red fruit, cranberry, and black cherries. Balanced with great energy and perfectly ripe tannins providing structure and impressive depth, this wine is focused with layers of character showing true to its origin, comprised of two blocks planted within this iconic site over thirty years apart.”

“Wine Advocate” Tasting Notes: “Much more structured, edgy and masculine, with layers of crushed stone-like minerality, pepper, ground herbs and black fruits, the 2011 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido has laser-like focus and cut on the palate, with a firm, tannic spine, juicy acidity and excellent density. Serious on all accounts, it needs 2-3 years to round into form and will have 12-15 years of ultimate longevity. Drink 2016-2026.”

$29.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Many of you are familiar with the “The Prisoner” label, started by David Phinney under the Orin Swift brand years ago.  It quickly became a Napa Valley cult wine thanks to its unique blend of zin combined with other awe-inspiring Napa varieties (mostly Bordeaux).  That said, some of you may not be aware that in 2010 David Phinney and Orin Swift Cellars partnered with one of the Huneuus family, one of the most powerful families in Napa.

Who are the Huneeus?  Agustin and wife Valeria are the original founders of Quintessa and have since acquired or started the following wineries: Faust, Flowers, Neyen, Primus , Ritual and Veramonte.  Agustin’s career began back in the early 1970’s growing the tiny Chilean start-up winery, Concha y Toro, into the largest production winery in all of Chile.  He then founded Concannon Vineyard and also became a partner and President of Franciscan before launching Quintessa in 1999.

His acquisition of “Prisoner Wine Company” plants him right where he wants to be: in the middle of the world of zinfandel.  PWC has also added a white wine to the portfolio called “Blindfold.”  This is a unique blend of chardonnay, Rhone whites and Riesling.  Made by winemaker Jen Beloz (former assistant winemaker to David Phinney), this outstanding wine is complex and delicious…a delightful new treat!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromatic and inviting, the wine opens up with subtle notes of mandarin and Meyer lemon zest, complimented on the palate with delightful flavors of Anjou pear, roasted marshmallow, spiced apple tart and a hint of minerality. The finish is rich and creamy with bright, balanced acidity.”