Wine Club Tasting Notes Online. . . Exclusively

Welcome to Carpe Vino’s Wine Club Tasting Notes Online, where each month you’ll find information about all of our current selections. After wines have been billed and are ready to be picked up or shipped, Wine Club members will receive an email notification. Simply select the club in which you are enrolled below. You can view the tasting notes online, download a PDF and view notes for other clubs. The best part is all notes are archived, so if you cellar your wines, you can come back and locate any tasting notes.

Wine pricing shown with the notes is full retail; wine club pricing is shown on your receipt when you pick up your wine. We hope you find this process helpful and easy to use. And for your privacy, your membership information will be kept confidential. Carpe Vino does not share our information with any outside companies or other organizations.

Enjoy!

Wine Club Tasting Notes for January

Select Wine Club Category

2014 Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon $24.95

(California)

2014 Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon $24.95

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Broad shouldered and muscular, yet food friendly and approachable, our 2014 Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon makes the perfect match for a sizzling steak. The wine’s generous black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors draw you in and then, with each swirl and sip, reveal complex hints of mocha, anise, tamari and mineral, plus a racy hint of smokiness. Well-structured tannins give this wine the backbone to stand up to boldly flavored foods, as well as a plush texture that carries the rich dark-fruit flavors through the lingering finish. This wine’s multilayered personality is unmistakably Napa Valley Cab.”

Blend:  88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cab France, 2% Malbec

Alcohol Level:  14.9%

Cases Produced:  Still researching

Winemaker:  John Hazak

Maturity:  Ready to drink now or hold for three to five years.

Pairings:  Suggestions from the winery:  “The Uppercut story begins with our goal to create the perfect wines for sizzling steaks, fresh-caught fish and cracked crab (to name only a few delicious pairings).”

2014 The Jack Cabernet Sauvignon $20

(Washington)

2014 The Jack Cabernet Sauvignon $20

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The Jack is your best bet when it comes to delivering a great wine for the money. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful expression of the vintage! Classic aromas of mint, black cherry, cassis, cacao, and barrel spice are present in spades. Delicious flavors, beautiful balance, and a long smooth finish.”

Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 9% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Alcohol Level:  14.5%

Cases Produced:  3,963

Winemaker:  Richard Funk

Maturity:  Drink now

Pairings:  At this price point, a thick and juicy Niman Ranch burger

2013 Beran “Sonoma” Zinfandel, $29.95

(Sonoma County)

2013 Beran “Sonoma” Zinfandel, $29.95

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Color: Deep, dark purple with a black core and red hues. Aromatics: Just-baked blueberry pie, raspberry, and dark chocolate with hints of sweet baking spice and vanillin oak. Palate: Rich and yet also elegant, this wine has beautiful red and black berry fruit flavors, with hints of cloves and pepper with a long finish.  Structure: Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, gorgeous palate-weight, and a persistent, elegant finish.”

Blend:  100% Zinfandel

Alcohol Level:  15.2%

Cases Produced:  3,000

Winemakers:  John J. Lopez and Joseph J. Wagner

Maturity:  Ready now or through 2020

Pairings:  Winery suggestions:  “Beran Sonoma County Zinfandel
pairs well with a wide variety of foods, however, we recommend enjoying it with salumi and hard cheeses like aged cheddar or Manchego, as well as barbecued steaks or hearty pasta dishes with meat or tomato-based sauces.”

2014 Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth Cabernet Sauvignon $60

(Napa Valley)

2014 Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth Cabernet Sauvignon $60

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This alluring blend presents aromas of blackberry and cracked pepper, with hints of cinnamon and other baking spices. The palate features flavors of red currant and wood smoke leading to a long, elegant finish that would disarm the fiercest of dragons. Malbec brings color and diversity of fruit; Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon bring darker fruit and robust structure.”

Blend:  45% Malbec, 35% Petit Verdot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol Level:  14.5%

Cases Produced:  2,000

Winemaker:  Bryan Kays

Maturity:  The name reflects the intensity of this wine.  Chewy now, and this will flourish nicely for years.

Pairings:  Winery:  “This blend shines with leaner cuts of meat like flank, sirloin and skirt steak. Also serve with roasted lamb or pork roast drizzled with a dark fruit reduction sauce.”

 

2013 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay $50

(Napa Valley)

2013 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay $50

Winery Tasting Notes:  Nose: In the glass, the aromatics lean toward the floral and citrus families with rose petals, lemon blossom, and just a hint of ripe melon sneaking through. Palate: While the palate is opulent, full of lemon meringue, peach pie, and ripe strawberry, the vibrancy of the acidity reliably lays the foundation for food pairing and aging for many years to come.  Finish: In classic Montelena fashion, the minerality steps into the spotlight on the finish, coupled with just enough orange zest, and the lingering richness of crème brûlée.”

Blend:  100% Chardonnay

Alcohol Level:  13.6%

Cases Produced:  14,800

Winemaker:  Matt Crafton

Maturity:  This wine has a reputation for longevity, but you can extract the cork any time.

Pairings:  Tear into a crispy, roasted chicken and put a glass of this wine alongside.

 

2014 Sebella Chardonnay (Hanzell) $32.95

(Sonoma County)

2014 Sebella Chardonnay (Hanzell) $32.95

Winery Tasting Notes:  “High-toned aromas of orange blossoms, lemon verbena and lime zest give way to scents of papaya, pineapple, crushed rock and linen. The flavors of pear, pink grapefruit and orange cream are long and true to the nose. The broad entry and full-bodied silky mouthfeel is balanced by mouth-watering acidity which gives the wine juiciness and a long, structured finish.”

Blend:  100% Chardonnay

Alcohol Level:  13.9%

Cases Produced:  3,000

Winemaker:  Michael McNeill

Maturity:  Drink now or through 2022

Pairings:  No kidding, popcorn is a secret pleasure.  Great with anything spread with brie.

2014 Blindfold White Wine (Prisoner Wine Co.) $30

(California)

2014 Blindfold White Wine (Prisoner Wine Co.) $30

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Inviting aromas of honeysuckle, grilled white peach and apricot. A luscious entry of toasted hazelnut and mandarin are balanced by bright acidity and minerality.”

Blend:  Undisclosed percentages of Chardonnay, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Chenin Blanc

Alcohol Level:  14.2%

Cases Produced:

Winemaker:  Chrissy Whitmann and Jennifer Beloz

Maturity:  Up to five years, but you won’t be able to wait longer than a week to open this puppy
Pairings: 
A righteous sipping wine but also great with shell-on boiled shrimp; try it with snapper

2014 The Jack Cabernet Sauvignon $20

(Washington)

2014 The Jack Cabernet Sauvignon $20

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The Jack is your best bet when it comes to delivering a great wine for the money. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful expression of the vintage! Classic aromas of mint, black cherry, cassis, cacao, and barrel spice are present in spades. Delicious flavors, beautiful balance, and a long smooth finish.”

Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 9% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Alcohol Level:  14.5%

Cases Produced:  3,963

Winemaker:  Richard Funk

Maturity:  Drink now

Pairings:  At this price point, a thick and juicy Niman Ranch burger

2014 Sebella Chardonnay (Hanzell) $32.95

(Sonoma County)

2014 Sebella Chardonnay (Hanzell) $32.95

Winery Tasting Notes:  “High-toned aromas of orange blossoms, lemon verbena and lime zest give way to scents of papaya, pineapple, crushed rock and linen. The flavors of pear, pink grapefruit and orange cream are long and true to the nose. The broad entry and full-bodied silky mouthfeel is balanced by mouth-watering acidity which gives the wine juiciness and a long, structured finish.”

Blend:  100% Chardonnay

Alcohol Level:  13.9%

Cases Produced:  3,000

Winemaker:  Michael McNeill

Maturity:  Drink now or through 2022

Pairings:  No kidding, popcorn is a secret pleasure.  Great with anything spread with brie.

2014 Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth Cabernet Sauvignon $60

(Napa Valley)

2014 Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth Cabernet Sauvignon $60

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This alluring blend presents aromas of blackberry and cracked pepper, with hints of cinnamon and other baking spices. The palate features flavors of red currant and wood smoke leading to a long, elegant finish that would disarm the fiercest of dragons. Malbec brings color and diversity of fruit; Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon bring darker fruit and robust structure.”

Blend:  45% Malbec, 35% Petit Verdot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol Level:  14.5%

Cases Produced:  2,000

Winemaker:  Bryan Kays

Maturity:  The name reflects the intensity of this wine.  Chewy now, and this will flourish nicely for years.

Pairings:  Winery:  “This blend shines with leaner cuts of meat like flank, sirloin and skirt steak. Also serve with roasted lamb or pork roast drizzled with a dark fruit reduction sauce.”