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 November

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Rudy Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

(North Coast, Ca)

Rudy Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Winery Tasting Notes: Perfume of fresh picked cranberries. Rich cocoa, intertwines with tart bing cherries and a rich, full palate. The tannins are exceptionally smooth, the acidity is refreshing, and the alcohol is moderate, making for an all around delicious and food friendly wine.

Blend: 100%  Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Level: 14.5%
Winemaker Name: Rudy Von Strasser
Cases Produced: 1023
Maturity: Drink now –  2021
Pairings: Pot roast with rich gravy, roast lamb, chocolate cake

Fun Facts: Rudy’s passionate interest  in Cabernet Sauvignon lead him to discover a family connection to Eric de Rothschild, and wrote a letter asking to do an internship at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild.  Each year the winery had been hiring an intern from the French winemaking program at Montpellier.  Thinking that two minds are better than one,  Mr. Rothschild invited Rudy to work the 1985 harvest as their first American intern.  Upon completion Rudy returned to Napa Valley  in the Spring of 1986 and became the enologist at Trefethen Winery and Vineyards.  In 1988 he became the assistant winemaker at Newton Vineyards in St. Helena.

White Hart Pinot Noir 2015

(Central Coast (Santa Lucia Highlands))

White Hart Pinot Noir  2015

Winery Tasting Notes:  Aromas of red cherries, raspberries, nutmeg and lavender with flavors of dried cherries, raspberries , plum, clove and nutmeg. Satiny texture and a lively finish.

Blend: 100%  Pinot Noir
Alcohol Level: 14.5%
Winemaker Name: Marcel van Stuijvenberg
Cases Produced: 1372
Maturity: Drink now –  2021
Pairings: Roast Lamb, Duck, light pasta dishes

Accolades: 91 points Wine Enthusiast

Fun Facts: The oldest Pinot Noir vines in Santa Lucia Highlands supply White Hart Pinot Noir. Grapes like this don’t come along every day. Most of these Northwest facing McIntyre vineyard vines are forty-four years old. And they are certified sustainably farmed. In California there has been such a rush to the Dijon clones that old clones like these are hard to find. They produce a wonderful blend of red fruit flavors (raspberry, dried strawberry) and black fruit flavors (black cherry) that is distinctive.

Gait Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

(Napa Valley, Ca)

Gait Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Winery Tasting Notes: Aromas of currant, blueberry, espresso and caramel. The mouthfeel is generous, open and layered with focused blueberry and cassis. The tannin structure is bold but refined, and allows the wine to glide across the palate to an extended and graceful finish.

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Level: 14.5%
Maturity: Drink now -2025
Winemaker Name: Trevor Sheehan
Pairings: Pepper crusted prime rib, Balsamic glazed rotisserie duck

Fun Facts: Gait wines are sourced from a blend of estate vineyards and premier growing sites from top sub-appellations around Napa Valley. Soils range from rocky volcanic highlands to mountain valleys lined with gravelly riverbeds. The combination of these unique sites allow us to produce wines that exemplify the diversity found in this iconic region.

Mad Hatter Red Wine 2015

(Napa Valley, Ca)

Mad Hatter Red Wine 2015

Winery Tasting Notes: Aromatics of plum, wild raspberry, and fig. Maraschino cherry excites the taste buds upon entry followed by cocoa powder and a hint of baking spice. The palate is bold but lively, with a luxurious mouthfeel.

Blend: 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol Level: 14.8%
Winemaker Name: Tuck Beckstoffer and Shawn Johnson
Cases Produced: 1000
Maturity: Drink now –  2021
Pairings: Korean tacos, slow roasted tri-tip, aged hard cheeses

Fun Facts: Dancing Hares Winery in Saint Helena, owned by Bob Cook and Paula Brooks, released their first vintage of Mad Hatter in 2006 under the winemaking direction of Andy Erickson. Their efforts to make an elegant, well-balanced Bordeaux blend from vineyards throughout the Napa Valley was lauded and the wine quickly became a cult favorite. The Winery was purchased in early 2016 by Tuck and Boo Beckstoffer with a commitment to not only continue to please established fans around the world, but to take the wine to an even higher level of excellence.

Drop Out Albarino 2015

(Andrus Island Vineyard, Ca)

Drop Out Albarino 2015

Winery Tasting Notes: The nose on this wine is aromatic with notes of apricots, peach, and hints of almond paste – reminiscent of a Viognier. On the palate the wine walks a fine line between fruit and its tartness, a perfect balance.

Blend: 100%  Albarino
Alcohol Level: 12.5%
Winemaker Name: Jonathan Keyes
Cases Produced: 420
Maturity: Drink now –  2020
Pairings: Shellfish, sole veronique, semi-soft cheese

Fun Facts: After studying chemistry at UC Santa Barbara, winemaker Jonathan Keyes dropped out of college to take his first winery job with California’s ultimate boutique winery, Sine Qua Non. He then traveled to Australia, honing in his winemaking skills down under with Two Hands Winery in the Barossa Valley. He then returned to assume the position of Cellar Master at Napa Valley’s Outpost Wines, under the guidance of winemaker Thomas Brown.

Martinelli “Martinelli Road” Chardonnay 2014

(Russian River Valley, Ca)

Martinelli “Martinelli Road” Chardonnay  2014

Winery Tasting Notes: Aromatic nose with tropical fruit, green apple, and toasted nuts. The palate is supple and concentrated with flavors of lemon curd and golden stone fruit, balanced with light minerality on the finish.

Blend: 100%  Chardonnay
Alcohol Level: 15.1%
Winemaker Name: Bryan Kvamme
Cases Produced: 224
Maturity: Drink now – 2021
Pairings:  Fettucine Alfredo with smoked salmon, pork chops with wild rice and mushroom sauce
Accolades: 92 Points – The Wine Advocate

Fun Facts: The Martinelli Road Chardonnay Vineyard is one of the coolest vineyard sites in the Russian River Valley and is one of the last vineyards to be picked. Lee Martinelli Sr. planted this vineyard in 1989 using clone 95. The vineyard is located directly below the steep Jackass Hill zinfandel vineyard on the original Martinelli family homestead ranch. After malolactic fermentation the wine is sur lie aged in 50% new French oak for 10 months before bottling. The wine is neither heat nor cold stabilized, un-fined and un-filtered, and is clarified only by racking before bottling.

Drop Out Albarino 2015

(Andrus Island Vineyard, Ca)

Drop Out Albarino 2015

Winery Tasting Notes: The nose on this wine is aromatic with notes of apricots, peach, and hints of almond paste – reminiscent of a Viognier. On the palate the wine walks a fine line between fruit and its tartness, a perfect balance.

Blend: 100%  Albarino
Alcohol Level: 12.5%
Winemaker Name: Jonathan Keyes
Cases Produced: 420
Maturity: Drink now –  2020
Pairings: Shellfish, sole veronique, semi-soft cheese

Fun Facts: After studying chemistry at UC Santa Barbara, winemaker Jonathan Keyes dropped out of college to take his first winery job with California’s ultimate boutique winery, Sine Qua Non. He then traveled to Australia, honing in his winemaking skills down under with Two Hands Winery in the Barossa Valley. He then returned to assume the position of Cellar Master at Napa Valley’s Outpost Wines, under the guidance of winemaker Thomas Brown.

Rudy Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

(North Coast, Ca)

Rudy Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Winery Tasting Notes: Perfume of fresh picked cranberries. Rich cocoa, intertwines with tart bing cherries and a rich, full palate. The tannins are exceptionally smooth, the acidity is refreshing, and the alcohol is moderate, making for an all around delicious and food friendly wine.

Blend: 100%  Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Level: 14.5%
Winemaker Name: Rudy Von Strasser
Cases Produced: 1023
Maturity: Drink now –  2021
Pairings: Pot roast with rich gravy, roast lamb, chocolate cake

Fun Facts: Rudy’s passionate interest  in Cabernet Sauvignon lead him to discover a family connection to Eric de Rothschild, and wrote a letter asking to do an internship at Chateau Lafite-Rothschild.  Each year the winery had been hiring an intern from the French winemaking program at Montpellier.  Thinking that two minds are better than one,  Mr. Rothschild invited Rudy to work the 1985 harvest as their first American intern.  Upon completion Rudy returned to Napa Valley  in the Spring of 1986 and became the enologist at Trefethen Winery and Vineyards.  In 1988 he became the assistant winemaker at Newton Vineyards in St. Helena.

Mad Hatter Red Wine 2015

(Napa Valley, Ca)

Mad Hatter Red Wine 2015

Winery Tasting Notes: Aromatics of plum, wild raspberry, and fig. Maraschino cherry excites the taste buds upon entry followed by cocoa powder and a hint of baking spice. The palate is bold but lively, with a luxurious mouthfeel.

Blend: 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol Level: 14.8%
Winemaker Name: Tuck Beckstoffer and Shawn Johnson
Cases Produced: 1000
Maturity: Drink now –  2021
Pairings: Korean tacos, slow roasted tri-tip, aged hard cheeses

Fun Facts: Dancing Hares Winery in Saint Helena, owned by Bob Cook and Paula Brooks, released their first vintage of Mad Hatter in 2006 under the winemaking direction of Andy Erickson. Their efforts to make an elegant, well-balanced Bordeaux blend from vineyards throughout the Napa Valley was lauded and the wine quickly became a cult favorite. The Winery was purchased in early 2016 by Tuck and Boo Beckstoffer with a commitment to not only continue to please established fans around the world, but to take the wine to an even higher level of excellence.

Smith-Madrone Vineyard Riesling

(Spring Mountain (Napa), Ca)

Smith-Madrone Vineyard Riesling

Winery Tasting Notes: A nose of honeysuckle, orange blossom, crisp citrus fruits and minerality is followed by touches of white peach and pear. The wine is very dry, smooth, discreetly elegant with a bright acidity and a silky mouthfeel. The aftertaste lingers on the palate with a refreshing zing of crisp citrus fruits.

Blend: 100% Riesling
Alcohol Level: 12.8%
Winemaker Name: Charles Smith & Stuart Smith
Cases Produced: 1551
Maturity: Drink now – 2021
Pairings: Chicken curry, Asian and Indian spices, Green papaya salad
Accolades: 94 Points- Wine Enthusiast

Fun Facts: At Smith-Madrone our goal is to make artisanal wines which are distinctive and are an expression of both the vintage and us as vintners, but above all else, are wines which bring pleasure to the senses. Every year our wine is made from the same vineyards, pruned by the same people in the same way, cultivated in exactly the same manner and harvested at similar levels of maturity, yet Mother Nature stamps each vintage with a unique set of flavors, senses and character. Vintage dating is a celebration of that uniqueness and diversity. This wine is made from mountain grown grapes, honoring the international tradition of Riesling which thrives on steep hillsides.

Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique

(Reims, France)

Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique

Winery Tasting Notes: Pale yellow with tints of white gold and a stream of fine bubbles. Aromas of fresh pear, fig and almond, with hints of orange flower. A light swirl of the glass brings out richer notes of honey and freshly baked bread. Fresh and supple. Full, with a long fruity finish.

Blend: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Alcohol Level: 12.5%
Maturity: Drink now -2023
Pairings: “Red mullet with cream of marinated Dublin Bay prawns, served on a bed of salad leaves, exotic fruit and fresh coriander” Frederik Deceuninck

Fun Facts: The grapes are sourced from exceptional terroirs, including the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The presence of 20% reserve wine ensures regularity of style, while more than three years ageing and a light dosage of 10g/l result in a balanced and complex champagne.

Giuseppe and Luigi “Anselmi” Prosecco

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Giuseppe and Luigi “Anselmi” Prosecco

Winery Tasting Notes: Fresh, clean texture with  flavors of green apple and a crisp dry finish.

Blend: 100% Glera
Alcohol Level: 11.5%
Maturity: Drink now -2022
Cases Produced: 5000
Pairings: Linguine and clams, all cheeses, lightly sweet desserts

Fun Facts: Stella di Anselmi is one of the great wineries in Friuli. Ettore Anselmi first planted vines in 1937 after he bought the farm near the town of Pocenia in the heart of Latisana. The limestone and clay soil is a great home for Pinot Grigio, Friulano, and Glera. Today his grandsons Giuseppe and Luigi continue the family estate.

Bruno Paillard Brut Premiere Cuvee NV

(Reims, France)

Bruno Paillard Brut Premiere Cuvee NV

Winery Tasting Notes: The primary aromas reveal the citrus fruits of Chardonnay: lime and grapefruit. Then the red fruits aromas of Pinot Noir appear: redcurrant, raspberry, morello cherries. When left to open up in the glass, the wine shows hints of dried fruits, sometimes exotic, from Pinot Meunier. Lively and vivacious, thanks to a low dosage, the aromas on the nose are echoed in the mouth. Primary flavours of citrus, almonds, and toasted bread, very soon joined by redcurrant jelly but also dark fruits like cherry, fig and blackberry.

Blend: 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Meunier
Alcohol Level: 12%
Maturity: Drink now -2025
Pairings: The Premiere Cuvee champagne is an excellent aperitif. It matches divinely with cheese (Brie de Meaux, Camembert, aged salers), poultry and shellfish.
Accolades: 92 Points Robert Parker, 90 Points Wine Spectator

Fun Facts: In 1983, BRUNO PAILLARD became the first champagne producer to display the disgorgement date on every single bottle, and not only on his prestige cuvée. By doing this, he tells the consumer about a key moment in the life of a champagne bottle: Disgorgement is like a second birth for the wine. Each bottle then returns to the cellar to rest for 5 to 18 additional months before shipment.

From that day, a natural process of ageing begins which is unique to Champagne. The aromatic evolution from fruits to flowers to spices is fascinating to the taster.

Henriot Champagne Blanc de Blanc NV

(France)

Henriot Champagne Blanc de Blanc NV

Winery Tasting Notes: On the eye: Sparkling, crystalline pale gold with slight green highlights. Abundant effervescence, fine and regular, with fine, delicate bubbles. On the nose: Pure, concentrated and expressive, with floral (honeysuckle, orange flower, linden), fruity (lemon, dried apricot, almond) and pastry aromas, followed by spicy notes. On the palate: The attack is dynamic, full and powerful, with aromas of lightly toasted brioche, quince jelly and acacia honey. The clean, delicious finish develops on a light menthol note and shows excellent length.

Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol Level: 12%
Cellar Master Name: Laurent Fresnet
Cases Produced: 25,000
Maturity: Drink now –
Pairings: Grilled Foie Gras with onion marmalade and crystallized pear Scallop Carpaccio with passion fruit Croquants goat cheese with basil, mixed green salad and tomatoes stewed in balsamic vinegar

Fun Facts: Champagne Henriot is one of the last ‘marquee’ champagne negociant houses that is still family owned (by the Henriot family). Henriot pursues an incredibly reductive style to maintain the purity of the fruit and avoid oxidation – the richness of the wine comes from approximately 30% reserve wines.