Wines   Altos Malbec 2000 - Argentina
CLUB: S / RO
A dark, garnet robe complemented by slight purple overtones sets the stage for the wonderful experience you're about to have with the 2000 Altos Las Hormigas Malbec. Note scents of smooth spicy fruit, wild strawberry, and freshly cut sandalwood emanating from your glass. We found the mouth feel to offer full-flavored, gutsy tannins that mingled nicely with lush, refined flavors that you simply have to experience to believe. As it airs, you'll note that it seems to form one single united garment that becomes more intriguing with every sip. Our panel found this Malbec to be without question, one of the best examples of this intriguing varietal that we've ever reviewed. It reproduces perfectly all of Argentina's fruits, offering remarkable vitality and character in each wonderful glass. We'd suggest drinking it near room temperature and as often as you can!
Wines   Bonterra Chardonnay 2000 - California
CLUB: S / WO
Encased in a beautiful golden robe, we found the Bonterra Vineyards 2000 Chardonnay quite impressive for its wonderful elegance and fruit flavors. Look for hints of citrus apple and white peach flavors over a background layer of spice and oak. Certainly, the vineyard's decision to barrel ferment this wonderful Chardonnay in both one to two year old barrels and then leave it on its lees for several months has given the finished product an extra dimension in the form of a creamy lush texture. Note that the Bonterra Chardonnay combines excellent purity of fruit and acidity, successfully spanning the elegance and delicacy of a first rate French White Burgundy and a rich full-blown, pure California Chardonnay. And given its extraordinary balance, it will unquestionably continue to age well, gaining nuance and depth with each month aged. We'd suggest serving it moderately chilled, allowing it to linger several minutes in the glass before enjoying.
Wines   Haza Vineyard Condado De Haza 1998 - Spain
CLUB: RO
Demonstrating the brilliant and bold winemaking style of Alejandro Fernandez, we found the 1998 Condado de Haza Tinto to exhibit an ever increasingly powerful nose consisting of black fruits, berries, and fine aged tobacco scents. Note a deep ruby red robe encasing a wine that offers elegant and rich flavors in the mouth as it becomes intense, yet never harsh. The tannins evident in the 1998 Condado de Haza are no doubt some of the most balanced and ripest of any Spanish wine we've reviewed to date. Through and through, we found this wine a pure pleasure to drink and would suggest opening it an hour before serving.
Wines   Nepenthe Sauvignon Blanc 2000 - Australia
CLUB: WO
One panel member described the 2000 Nepenthe Sauvignon featured this month as "Lovely, ripe, tailored, and harmonious." And certainly this wine is no unripe, grassy, acid bomb of a Sauvignon Blanc. It is unquestionably not a flabby, fruity mess, either. Rather, it shows us powerful, pure ripe tropical fruits throughout, offering an interesting hint of floral and citrus notes. This Australian treat underscores the benefit of high altitude plantings in the picturesque, rolling hills of the Australian delaide Hills. In this climate, fruit ripens slowly in the cool, autumn months, allowing retention of intense ripe fruit flavors. A portion of the 2000 Nepenthe Sauvignon Blanc is barrel fermented, adding subtle notes to the complexity and length of the finished wine. We found it intense but balanced. Its herbal and fruity notes as well as firm structure fit like a handcrafted garment. We'd suggest serving it moderately chilled.
S = Standard Red & White Shipment RO = Reds Only Shipment WO = Whites Only Shipment