This Month's Selection

Premier Series
Featured Wineries & Wines	Membership Type
Bodega Vistalba Mendoza Corte C	1 Red 1 White; 2 Reds
Cape Rock Cape of Good Hope Sauvignon Blanc	1 Red 1 White; 2 Whites
Cavalchina Bardolino DOC	2 Reds
Turner & Cole Eden Valley Riesling	2 Whites

Bodega Vistalba Mendoza Corte C 2005 — Argentina

Vistalba is the family estate of Carlos Pulenta and his family. It is located in the center of Vistalba in the Luján de Cuyó region of Mendoza, Argentina. Here the Cordon del Plata and the towering range of snow-capped Andes that define the Mendoza loom over the Vistalba winery and the estate's vineyards, which spread up the foothills in search of the cold, living waters of snow melt that allow the Mendoza to bloom. Vistalba is the finest area in all Mendoza for Malbec, and Pulenta and his family exploit their enviable location and exceptional terroir to the fullest.

Begun in 1948, the Vistalba estate is comprised of many old vines. In total the estate counts 58 hectares (nearly 128 acres) under vine, most of which are devoted not surprisingly to Malbec — the backbone of Carlos Pulenta's fine range of wines and the mainstay of Mendoza viticulture. However, Malbec is hardly the only red varietal grown at Vistalba or, for that matter, at Pulenta's sister venture, Tomero. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bonarda are all well represented at Vistalba. While Malbec provides the basis for all of the estate's red wines, the other red varietals play significant supporting roles.

Tasting Notes: As one would expect, the 2005 Vistalba Corte C wears a rich, regal robe. Deep purple in color, opaque, and nearly black in its impenetrable center, it would be easy to surmise, at least at first glance, that Vistalba's Corte C was just another forceful, teeth staining Malbec. That is, until one takes the first sniff. Sensual aromas of red and black berries, cedar, cassis, and eucalyptus rise from the glass to cheerfully greet the nose. And upon first sip, the 2005 Vistalba Corte C becomes even more remarkable. It embodies the comely flavor and finesse of a first-rate Bordeaux. It caresses the palate and fills the senses, ending with an exemplarily long finish that displays plenty of ripe, sweet tannins. In short, the Corte C is no ordinary Malbec. We suggest serving the Vistalba Corte C at cool room temperature (no more than 66° F), after an hour of aeration.

Accompaniments: Beef is the national dish of Argentina, as anyone who has ever visited Argentina will attest. And what better accompaniment is there to the national dish than Vistalba's Corte C? Given the gracious flavor profile of the Vistalba Corte C, we suggest that it be served with a serious steak. Some of our favorite cuts of beef with this rich, but polished, Malbec are porterhouse and sirloin steaks. And to further complement the polished, flamboyant side of the wine, a side dish with that steak of sautéed Cremini, Portabella, or Shitake mushrooms, prepared in a red wine reduction with shallots and a dash of rosemary and spicy mustard, constitutes a heavenly feast. However, lest you think the Corte C is a one-dimensional wine, we can heartily recommend it with tried-and-true alternatives to "Beef Almighty." Lusty pasta dishes with heavy red pasta sauces, three-mushroom pizzas, and grilled ostrich provide other splendid parings with Vistalba's lovely Malbec. And let's not forget lamb or even the best burger money can buy. They, too, offer splendid complements to Carlos Pulenta's viticultural art. Enjoy!

Cape Rock Cape of Good Hope Sauvignon Blanc 2008 — South Africa

Cape Rock is grown and produced at the venerable Van Loveren Estate. In fact, Cape Rock and Van Loveren are synonymous. Van Loveren is located on the banks of the Breede River in Robertson, South Africa's premier white wine producing region. Two brothers, Nico and Wynand Retief, own this stunningly beautiful property, which lies just 100 miles from Cape Town. Yet it is not just the physical splendor of the place that captivates — its lanes are lined with rare red canna lilies — Van Loveren consistently fashions wines that are in every way as exquisite as the landscape. In the days of yore, Van Loveren was a large farm affectionately called Goudmyn (Goldmine). Today, it is a 330-acre wine estate that is highly regarded for its picturesque beauty and liquid gold, mostly in the form of delicious white and red wines.
 
Van Loveren is currently one of the leading producers of premium Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa and a driving force behind the recent success of Robertson as a prime viticultural area. The region's limestone-rich soil is perfect for white wines, which have led some critics to compare Robertson's wines, and Van Loveren's wares in particular, to the renowned wines of France's Pouilly-Fuissé (Chardonnay) and Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc). Specifically, this property's Sauvignon Blanc is world-class wine, a hypothetical cross between a bright, herbal New Zealand-style Sauvignon Bland and an elegant, mineral rich, pinpoint Sancerre from France's Loire Valley.

Tasting Notes: Pale in color but not in character, the 2008 Cape Rock Sauvignon Blanc displays an amplifying nose of herb, mineral, citrus, and freshly cut grass. Bright and refreshing from the first sip, this Sancerre-style Sauvignon Blanc offers a lot to like. It fills the mouth with clear vibrant flavor, including hints of tropical fruit and a gentle herbal twist that made the tasting panel beg for more. Ripe, juicy, and sporting a mélange of crisp acidity, the Cape Rock Sauvignon Blanc finishes superbly and lingers in the mouth on a refreshing note. In short, this is one tasty, eminently drinkable Sauvignon Blanc that knows who it is — no oak, no smoke, and no mirrors. This is the style of Sauvignon Blanc we wish more New World producers could provide consistently, if they were not so obsessed with acid balancing and the taste of oak rather than the natural flavors of the grape. We suggest serving this bright, friendly Sauvignon Blanc well chilled (35°- 40° F), and often.

Accompaniments: The 2008 Cape Rock Sauvignon Blanc makes an excellent aperitif, as it provides a great opening act to nearly any affair. And as light and easy as the Cape Rock Sauvignon Blanc appears, one may be tempted to relegate it to the venial position of aperitif or party wine extraordinaire. However, we suggest that you not miss the opportunity to pair this South African beauty with some interesting and worthy food companions, as it is not the least bit recalcitrant in providing escort service to a large array of seafood dishes. Clams, mussels, oysters, shrimp, lobster, and just about anything that swims offer natural pairings with this wine, but that's not all. The 2008 Cape Rock Sauvignon Blanc is equally outstanding with salads, poultry, and a host of Asian dishes. A light salmon mousse, pecan encrusted salmon, and expertly prepared California rolls provide other exemplary pairings with this wine. A mixed green salad with caramelized walnuts, poached pears, tomatoes, and fresh, crumbled blue cheese; and Seared Sea Scallops tossed with a Thai nut relish make other noteworthy accompaniments. Enjoy!

Cavalchina Bardolino DOC 2006 — Italy

The Cavalchina winery is located along the southern shore of majestic Lake Garda. It has belonged to the present owners, the Piona family, since the beginning of the 1900s. As far back as 1848 Cavalchina was registered officially as having the finest vineyards in the region, and they still do. After all, terroir is terroir and good winemaking remains the order of the day at Cavalchina. This is also an estate that is not afraid to experiment. Presently, the Piona family harvests grapes from two distinct sites: 16 hectares at the original Cavalchina estate in the Veneto and at La Prendina, a nearby parcel just over the regional border of Lombardia. Grapes from both estates are vinified at Cavalchina, but each is fermented and bottled individually.

Cavalchina specializes in traditional regional wines, including the zone's finest Bianco di Custoza (a blend of Garganega, Tocai, and Trebbiano grapes) and several excellent Bardolino in varying styles. Giulietto Piona, the reigning family patriarch, invented Bianco di Custoza at Cavalchina in 1962. He is now considered the founder of that thriving DOC. Presently, his talented son Luciano makes all of the wine at Cavalchina.

Tasting Notes: Authentic Bardolino is the perfect embodiment of all that is good and magical in the wines of Lake Garda and the surrounding Veneto. Cherry colored, light but round, and ohhh so sensual, the 2006 Cavalchina Bardolino offers the taster one of the Veneto's ultimate pleasures. As delicate as Venetian lace and as lusty as a Titian masterpiece, Cavalchina's 2006 Bardolino will have you reaching for a second bottle in no time. Simply stated, the 2006 Cavalchina Bardolino is the picture of style, elegance, and vivacity in a glass. Its compelling scent of black cherry fruit, marzipan and almond extract make for a most appealing bouquet. On the palate, warm round flavors are married to youthful exuberance to render the 2006 Cavalchina Bardolino the purest expression of the local Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes. Medium bodied, refreshing, and immensely drinkable (the quintessential attributes of true Bardolino), this offering from Cavalchina displays the ultimate Bardolino personality. Bardolino is typically a wine to drink young. However, we have found that Cavalchina's Bardolino will age well for three years or more before reaching its apogee. We suggest serving this wine at cool room temperature or better still at cellar temperature (55°- 60° F), especially in warm weather.

Accompaniments: Bardolino is a marvelously adaptable wine. Its flavorful, medium-bodied format suits most pastas and salads, so whether you are serving a simple chicken salad or homemade pasta with a complex sauce, the 2006 Cavalchina Bardolino is ready and able to please. Moreover, heartier fare like risottos and grilled meats also offer appealing accompaniments. Stews, cassoulets, and meatloaf are hardly too robust, either. A good hamburger or even a lightly seared tuna steak, served with a mango salsa, provides superb accompaniment to the 2006 Cavalchina Bardolino, as well. Fine cheeses such as Asiago, Emmentaler, Feta, and Morbier also shine in the presence of the 2006 Cavalchina Bardolino, so enjoy!

Turner & Cole Eden Valley Riesling 2005 — Australia

Turner & Cole is grown and produced by the great Henschke estate of South Australia. With premium vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Eden Valley, Henschke fashions a staggering number of award-winning wines each year. In fact, Henschke is one the oldest and most revered wineries in Australia; and its wines are benchmarks by which nearly all other Australian wines are measured. Although most renowned for their single-vineyard Shiraz offerings, including the amazing Hill of Grace from Eden Valley, Henschke enjoys an equally fine reputation for its outstanding Rieslings and Semillons.

The founder of Henschke, Johann Christian Henschke, was one of the first pioneers to plant Riesling in the Eden Valley in the 1860's. It was also the Henschke estate that helped revitalize Eden Valley after two world wars by replanting Riesling there. Since the 1950s, Henschke has fashioned award-winning Rieslings in Eden Valley, longer than nearly anyone else. Turner & Cole is one of Henschke's unbroken strings of success with Riesling, one of the most difficult of all white grape varietals to grow.

Tasting Notes: The 2005 Turner & Cole Riesling is an excellent example of Eden Valley's success with Riesling and testimony to Henschke's acumen with one of the planet's most complex grape varieties. Furthermore, the winery has stated that "2005 is sure to be ranked as one of the best Riesling vintages on record," and we agree. The 2005 Turner & Cole is a rich, full-throttle Riesling that combines sweet floral aromas, lush fruit, great minerality, and crisp acidity all into one beautiful wine. Scents of nectarine, white currant, peach, and citrus blossoms are followed by a pleasing burst of fruit, complex mineral tones, and lime zest in the mid palate — all of which are garnished by a crisp refreshing acidity on the finish. Drink this wine now or lay it down for a few years. For maximum enjoyment of the Turner & Cole Riesling, we suggest moderate chilling (37°- 45° F).

Accompaniments: Like all of the best dry Australian Rieslings, the 2005 Turner & Cole is one of the world's most versatile wines with food. Yet we must confess that this Riesling is also quite satisfying and endlessly faceted on its own. But why settle for half the pleasure when you can have it all? Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese specialties meld beautifully with this Riesling. Stir-fried eggplant with basil, bell peppers, and onion (Pad Ma Kour); stir-friend ground chicken with bell peppers, green beans, onion, basil, and hot chilis (Gra Prao); and even fresh spring rolls make ideal partners to accompany the Turner & Cole Riesling. More traditional American and continental fare offer a wealth of possibilities: chicken, ham, pork, and seafood all get our nod as well. Enjoy!