Wines   Chateau Recougne Bordeaux Superior 1998 - France
CLUB: S / RO
Start by forgetting any preconceived notions that you may have had with other Bordeaux Superieur, the Chateau Recougne 1998 Bordeaux Superior exceeds all expectations. From its deep garnet color to its lingering finish, this wine redefines the quality quotient in this part of Bordeaux and proports a first class Medoc, shaming several more famous offerings from the same illustrious region. Note scents of wood smoke cedar, blackberry, and clean earth folding into a single, tantalizing olfactory statement. We found the aroma and flavor seemed to meld, caressing the palate with the unmistakable flavor of a Cabernet Sauvignon and the textured mouth feel of a Merlot. Look for the wine to finish with the strength of ripe, textured tannins that linger at least 20 seconds after swallowing. Although Chateau Recougne is fully enjoyable with thirty minutes breathing, the wine’s superb balance of tannin and fruit bodes well for its future development; we bet this lovely wine will continue to improve for at least another 4-5 years.
Wines   Valley of the Moon Pinot Blanc 2000 - California
CLUB: S / WO
Exhibiting a ripe, textured nose offering scents of apricot, pear, and the pure fresh ripeness of Sonoma County, the Valley of the Moon's 2000 Pinot Blanc is an assault on the senses. Building depth and flavor as it airs, each sip of this full-throttle Pinot Blanc evidences why Pinot Blanc is a premium varietal that deserves so much more recognition in CA than it currently receives. We found it a pleasure to drink form start to finish; neither an edge nor a hint of flabbiness is evident. Ripe, sensual fruit, balanced by a characteristic raciness, renders this offering the perfect white wine. We initially reviewed this wine well chilled, however, noted that it truly became something special as it approached 55°-60° F.
Wines   Pockel Zweigelt Classique Zweigelt 1998 - Austria
CLUB: RO
You might be wondering exactly what does Zweigelt taste like. This varietal is a cross of St. Laurent and Blaufrankisch (Gamay), another, typically Austrian varietal. First conceived by Dr. Zweigelt, this varietal offers a fine medium-bodied red wine with well-defined fruit in Pockel’s hands. Note predominating plum, cola, and wild strawberry flavors in the 1998 Pockel Zweigelt, likening it to a Grand Cru Beaujolais. Full of flavor and deeply colored, it's easy to see why this varietal now accounts for 25% of Austrian red wine production. We'd suggest drinking it at cool room temperature.
Wines   Loimer Langenloiser Grunerveltliner 1999 - Austria
CLUB: WO
If you are expecting the Loimer 1999 Gruner Veltliner or any Gruner Veltliner wines for that matter, to even vaguely resemble the semi-sweet white German wines that you may have tried in the past, you’re in for a surprise. The 1999 Loimer’s Gruner Veltliner is as dry as they come. We found its bright robe set the tone for a clean, citrus aroma that one might expect from the best white wines of Italy or French Chablis. Look for hints of straw, lemon, and a subtle backdrop of indescribable spice on the palate. We found it to finish as dry and as thirst quenching as any we've tasted. You should consider serving it fairly well chilled, and then let it open for several minutes in the glass.
S = Standard Red & White Shipment RO = Reds Only Shipment WO = Whites Only Shipment