Wines   Domaine St. Martin Cotes Du Rhone 1998 - France
CLUB: S / RO
The ripeness and weight inherent in the 1998 Domaine Martin Cotes-du-Rhone is underscored by a port-like nose. Anise, plum, black fruits, and the peppery scents of Grenache dominate the flavor and aroma of this plush wine. Hedonistic, lush, and rich in fruit, this wine is proof positive that France's Rhone Valley continues to produce some of the world's finest, most pleasurable wines. It's no surprise that this winner of a gold medal at the prestigious Paris Concours General is easy to like. Although round, ripe, and easy to drink immediately, this wine benefits immensely from an hour's breathing time. You'll note that it develops richness and definition that make the little extra wait well worthwhile. We suggest that you enjoy it at cellar temperature (58°-68°F).
Wines   Lawson's Dry Hill Chardonnay 1999 - New Zealand
CLUB: S / WO
In a word? Lush! Lawson's Dry Hills 1999 Marlborough Chardonnay is about as packed with flavor as dry white wine gets. Loaded with the scents of mango, pineapple, and assorted tropical fruits, we found this wine to be a feast for the senses. This delicious Chardonnay is so fat and long in the mouth that it oozes with butter, a lovely blend of spice and a ripe exotic fruitiness. And if the overt decadence of ripe fruit in French oak isn't enough to convince you, we found this exceptional Chardonnay to possess a good, crisp acidity along with its ample fruit. Note that the acidity beautifully frames this wine, adding definition, plenty of zip, and a pleasantly dry finish. We recommend that you enjoy this pleasure-packed Chardonnay moderately chilled and as often as you can!
Wines   Chateau Des Annereaux La Land De Pomerol 1998 - France
CLUB: RO
Opulent, plush, and simply delicious, the 1998 Chateau des Annereaux was dubbed "the most elegant wine of the year," by several of our panel members. Fruity, supple, and easy to drink, it would be easy to write it off as a lovely, round claret for early consumption, however, as a result of centuries of some site cultivation, the presence of natural wild yeasts on the grapes adds complexity as well as elegance to this wine. Nuances of leather, spice, and chocolate combine with silky tannins and lush fruit to provide depth and layers of flavor in this wonderful wine. Ample airing and further bottle aging will enhance its lingering finish.
Wines   Cantina Aurora Tortona Moscato 2000 - Italy
CLUB: WO
Succulent, pleasantly sweet, lush, yet not cloying, the 2000 Cantine Aurora Tortona Piemonte Moscato captures all that nature in its infinite fruitfulness can provide. Embodying the essence of a Bacchanalian harvest, the golden rays of an autumnal sun, the ripe sensual nature of fruit hanging on the vine, and the freshness of an October breeze, this Italian delight begs to be savored, and at the same time pleads to be guzzled! Low in alcohol at only 5.5%, yet long on flavor, we found it both satisfying and refreshing. Produced in the traditional Piedmontese manner, the 2000 Cantine Aurora Tortona Piemonte Moscato is slightly frizzante and lightly golden or very lightly sparkling. We suggest enjoying this traditional Piedmontese treasure well chilled.
S = Standard Red & White Shipment RO = Reds Only Shipment WO = Whites Only Shipment