ACG Atlanta Wine Tasting 2018

2018 AROUND THE WORLD

WINE TASTING

UPCOMING E VENTS OCTOBER 3 5:30 – 8:30PM | 5 CHURCH Young ACG presents: Atlanta’s Growth: Navigating the changing landscape to ensure Atlanta continues to provide opportunities for career and business development

OCTOBER 23 ACG Atlanta Women’s Forum presents: A new view on Atlanta ACG Capital Connection

NOVEMBER 13 5:30 – 9:00PM | ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER 2018 Deals of the Year featuring Ben Stein

DECEMBER 5 7:00 – 10:00PM | CHEROKEE TOWN CLUB Joint Holiday Party with the Southern Capital Forum

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2019 SAVE THE DATE!

FEBRUARY 4 –7, 2019 HO T EL A T A VA L O N A ND A LPHA R E T T A C O NVENT I O N C ENT ER

1170 deals & $195.2B invested in Georgia in 2017

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

Welcome back from what I hope was a great summer! Thank you join joining us for the first event in what promises to be another exciting year of ACG Atlanta programming. Once again we kick things off with our annual ACG Atlanta Wine Tasting and Reception. Now in its 10th year, the ACG Atlanta Wine Tasting will again be a sellout event with over 600 participants and the perfect way to start off the ACG programming year.

ACG Atlanta delivers an exciting mix of programming including our distinguished evening and breakfast events, a holiday party, our annual Capital Connection event, Spring Social, and the Georgia Fast 40 Awards Gala. In addition to those general membership events, we will also feature targeted events with our Young ACG and Women’s Forum events.

Membership in ACG Atlanta provides numerous networking opportunities to meet people of similar professional interests within the Atlanta deal making community. In addition to exciting programming, membership in ACG offers access to regional conferences and a worldwide network of over 14,000 members. If you are not a member of ACG and would like more information about joining, please reach out to our President & CEO, Melanie Brandt, at acgatlanta@acg.org or 404-846-4455.

Please make sure to register for our next signature event on November 13th. ACG Atlanta will award our Deals of the Year and Ben Stein will be our keynote speaker that evening.

Have a wonderful evening. Cheers!

Patrick Putman Managing Director & Head of Southeast Commercial Banking CIBC Bank USA

2018

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

2 018 SPONSORS

WINE GLASS SPONSOR

GIFT BAG SPONSOR

DEAL MAKERS LOUNGE SPONSOR

REGISTRATION HOST

DESSERT SPONSORS

2018

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

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SPONSORED BY

CHATEAU DE SAINT COSME GIGONDAS Gigondas is one of the villages in France’s Côtes du Rhône region. Located in the southern part of the appellation, here is where the Grenache grape is king. Gigondas is also the only village in the southern Rhône that is mountainous, so the wines possess a power and focus that is unique. Many people fall in love with the wines of Gigondas as they can be great values compared to those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône’s most famous village.

PIERRE JEAN VILLA SAINT-JOSEPH (SYRAH) This is a tiny winery in the Northern portion of the Côtes du Rhône. In the Village of St. Joseph, the Syrah grape is king. Interestingly, they can often possess a unique smoky and peppery flavor that is indicative of the region’s cool climate and immensely steep vineyard slopes. Syrah from this region tastes very different from Shiraz from Australia or Syrah from California.

FR A N CE - RH O NE VA L L E Y

2018

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

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PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO The Produttori del Barbaresco is possibly the most successful Fine Wine Cooperative in all of Italy.

Their single vineyard Barbaresco Bottlings along with the general blends compete with many of Italy’s top estates, and this is where Nebbiolo shines along with the smaller Barolo Region. Only older oak barrels are used, and this is made from 100% Nebbiolo.

MIRAFIORE BAROLO Barolo is often considered to be the king of Nebbiolo. Like Barbaresco, Barolo has a bit more of a bold structure and style, and the finer bottlings can age for decades. Mirafiore is on the modern side of the spectrum and boasts some new oak barrels to balance out the immense fruit and structure. This is also made from 100% Nebbiolo.

I TA LY - B A R O L O & BARBARESCO

2018

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CAVUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON Pronounced “Cav-oo”, this is the ripe and modern side of Napa Valley’s Stag’s Leap District. This region was made famous by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars when it won the cabernet sauvignon category in the 1976 Paris Challenge wine tasting. That event put this region on the map, and this bottling shows just how far things have come since then. This is modern with ripe fruits, and polished oak with bourbon accents.

CHIMNEY ROCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON Chimney Rock represents the old guard for the Stag’s Leap Appellation. There’s always a beautiful cedar oak flavor due to earlier picking and restrained alcohol levels. Well-drained steep slopes and traditional winemaking add a note of dried flowers which is unique.

N A PA VA L L E Y - S TA G ’ S LEAP DISTRICT

2018

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SPONSORED BY

SOTER NORTH VALLEY RESERVE PINOT NOIR Tony Soter spent the first 20 years of his career making the wines of Etude in California’s Carneros region just south of the town of Napa. It was always in his plan to return to Oregon, and he was among the first of the high-profile winemakers to set-up shop in the Willamette Valley. The North Valley Reserve project largely focuses on appellation specific bottlings, and this pinot noir represents the finest in blending across regions.

BEAUX FRERES WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR Beaux Freres is one of Oregon’s most famous wineries and since the early 1990’s they have anchored Willamette Valley’s tiny Ribbon Ridge Appellation with some of Oregon’s most celebrated bottlings. In addition, up until very recently, the winery was owned by renown wine critic, Robert Parker, so you won’t see any Wine Advocate ratings on these wines! Ribbon Ridge is a slightly warmer appellation in Oregon, so the wines have a great depth of fruit.

OREGON REDS

2018

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FANTESCA ALL GREAT THINGS “HOPE” All Great Things “Hope” is a dark ruby color in the glass. The aromatics are bright with ripe blackberries, black cherry, and toasty French oak.

The grapes for this red wine come from mountainous vineyards on the eastern side of Napa Valley, in contrast to the western side where Fantesca’ s estate vineyards are planted. All Great Things “Hope” is big, bold and ripe. It’s quite delicious with spicy jammy fruit flavors, a touch of vanilla, and compact silky tannins. This wine is nicely balanced and should age well for many years. Enjoy!

FANTESCA ESTATE CHARDONNAY We source these grapes from several prime vineyards in Russian River Valley, and each year are rewarded with a delicious blend. The aromas are of ripe pear, lemon, mineral and crème brûlée. Color is a brilliant light straw. The flavors match the aromas in this lovely, crisp yet fat mouthful of delicious Chardonnay. Lush and pure, very round mouthfeel and clean balance. Very lightly oaked with a hint of spice and sweet toastiness, mostly enhancing the layers of ripe fruit. Delish.

FA N T E SC A

2018

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AUSTIN HOPE CABERNET SAUVIGNON It’s hard to explain the excitement about this wine.

Emerging as one of the flagship bottlings for Paso Robles (roughly half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco), this 100% Cabernet Bottlings has rich fruit, smoky notes, and an incredibly smooth texture.

Austin Hope’s family has been farming in Paso Robles for over 30 years, and this wine earned an incredible 97 Point Review from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

TABLAS CREEK COTES DE TABLAS BLANC Tablas Creek wines fly under the radar because they are atypical for Paso Robles. When tasted blind, they resemble French Country whites with great tension and acidity. This bottling is a blend of four estate-grown white Rhône varietals. The wine, like most wines of the Southern Rhône, is a blend of varietals featuring the floral aromatics and stone fruit of Viognier, the crisp acids and rich mouthfeel of Grenache Blanc, and the structure and minerality of Marsanne & Roussanne.

C A L I F O R N I A PA S O R O B L E S

2018

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SPONSORED BY

CHATEAU GRANGE-NEUVE LA FLEUR DES ORMES POMEROL 2015 was an incredible vintage for Pomerol, located on Bordeaux’s right bank of the Dorodgne River.

Pomerol is a tiny appellation, but it packs a punch and is home to the famous Chateau Petrus. Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the main grapes in this blend, and there is rich fruit balanced by leather, earth, and a little bit of tobacco. It is drinking beautifully already!

CHATEAU GRAND-PUY DUCASSE PAUILLAC This is a great example of a “Left Bank” Bordeaux from the commune of Pauillac. Famous wineries from this region include first growth bottlings Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafite Rothschild. This is Cabernet driven Bordeaux with power and grace.

Leather, tobacco, and pencil shavings are common with these wines, and this has a long way to go but is starting to show its stuff already.

FR ANCE – BORDEAUX

2018

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RAEN ROYAL ST. ROBERT PINOT NOIR RAEN is a project from Robert Mondavi’s grandson, Carlo Mondavi, and this bottling is an homage to the Royal St. Robert (Mondavi) himself! The grapes come from Sonoma County’s extreme Sonoma Coast appellation which is just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. This wine combines power and elegance in one package, and farming this region is extremely challenging and the yields are tiny due to small berry size and very late harvest dates.

SEMPER SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY Semper is from Tuck Beckstoffer, the son of Andy Beckstoffer who owns some of California’s top vineyard sites in Napa Valley and further north. The Fort Ross Chardonnay is less than one mile from the Pacific Ocean, and just 174 cases were produced with the helping hand of Philippe Melka, one of California’s top consulting winemakers.

SONOMA - SONOMA COAST

2018

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WALTER HANSEL CUVEE ALYCE PINOT NOIR Now in its 20th year of flying under the radar, Stephen Hansel’s Russian River Valley wines are magnificent and still priced well below his neighbors. Tom Rochioli taught him how to refine his winemaking abilities and the vineyards do the rest! 100% Estate Bottled and generally made in a more European Style. Yes, there is ample depth of fruit, but these wines often gain the favor of our Burgundy fans, which is unusual for California’s Russian River Valley.

GARY FARRELL RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY CHARDONNAY This Russian River Valley Chardonnay is sourced from some of the region’s top vineyard sites including Westside Farms, Bacigalupi Vineyard–Goddard Ranch, Olivet Lane Vineyard, Rochioli Vineyard, Allen Vineyard, Lazy W Vineyard, Martinelli Vineyard–Parnell Ranch, and Pratt! Aged in 35% New French Oak Barrels, this is a modern classic for Russian River Valley.

SONOMA - RUSSIAN R I V ER VA L L E Y

2018

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GRAN MORAINE CHARDONNAY In recent years, Oregon’s Willamette Valley has changed dramatically in how it cultivates Chardonnay.

Initial plantings 20 years ago were less than impressive, but the planting of newer French clones that are suited to the Willamette Valley climate are now coming online and are amazing. These wines taste like White Burgundy and have the depth of flavor that rivals California’s top chardonnay bottlings.

LINGUA FRANCA AVNI CHARDONNAY Lingau Franca’s goal is to make wines that emulate the style of Burgundy. In fact, this winery was co-founded by a Master Sommelier (Larry Stone) and one of Burgundy’s most famous winemakers, Dominique Lafon. Add to this a focus on Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills appellation with its striking cool climates and you have an impressively American version of a Burgundian Chardonnay.

OREGON WHITES

2018

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IL MARRONETO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO The Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino comes from the incredible 2013 vintage. Already showing beautifully, this estate is on Montalcino’s Northern side where sand is more dominant in the soil, resulting in a rustic, firm expression. Made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso, this wine spends nearly 39 months in oak barrels.

GRATTAMACCO BOLGHERI ROSSO (SUPER TUSCAN BLEND) A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, and 10% Sangiovese, Grattamacco comes from the region of Tuscany called Bolgheri which is famous for the cultivation of Super Tuscan Blends. Cabernet Sauvignon is king here, and the wines often resemble a fine Bordeaux in style.

I TA LY – T U S C A N Y

2018

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

TA B L E SPONSORED BY

KLEIN CONSTANTIA SAUVIGNON BLANC South Africa has been a leader in Sauvignon Blanc production, and Klein Constantia has anchored Cape Town’s Wine production since 1685! Flavors of this sauvignon blanc are like those of New Zealand with tropical fruit flavors dominated by fresh grapefruit.

No oak is used in the production of this wine.

THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK This represents the mid-tier wines from the Boekenhoutskloof winery in the Swartland region of South Africa just north of Cape Town. The Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (79%), Grenache Noir (11%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Cinsault (3%) and Viognier (1%). Only French oak barrels are used, and the aroma is that of ripe fruit, a bit of earth (like Bordeaux) and cedar from the barrels.

SOUTH AFRICA

2018

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VEUVE CLICQUOT EXTRA BRUT EXTRA OLD NV Champagne Veuve Clicquot’s newest and most rare bottling, this is a blend of house’s reserve wines only from the following vintages: 1988, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010. The blend is 47% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay, and 26% Pinot Meunier, which is very similar to Madam Clicquot’s preferred blend.

They make this bottling from their deep reservoir of 444 reserve wines across 20 different vintages. The appearance of the bottle is the exact inverse of the typical colors of the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV.

DOMAINE TEMPIER BANDOL ROSÉ Domaine Tempier serves as the Cornerstone winery in the Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant Portfolio. This arguably the world’s most celebrated Rosé and can actually be aged for a decade or more. This rosé is made from 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, 20% Cinsault from vineyards around the town of Bandol in the Provence region of Southern France. It is simply the archetype of French Rosé!

C H A M PA G N E & R O S É

2018

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

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GAMBA CELLARS RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY ZINFANDEL Gamba produces zinfandels that have a little bit of restraint, so they often resemble wines from Alexander Valley or other parts of Sonoma. Before the invasion of Pinot Noir, the Russian River Valley was best known for their Zinfandel plantings and would attain great complexity due to the long growing season. Gamba farms all their vineyards organically and without the use of any irrigation.

EIGHT YEARS IN THE DESSERT - FROM DAVE PHINNEY This is a blend of Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, and Syrah from Dave Phinney’s Orin Swift label and represents an end to his eight-year break from making zinfandel.

It is sourced from different vineyards in California and is aged in 45% New French Oak Barrels for 10 months. Alcohol level is 15.7% so this is a big wine by most any measure. Fans of The Prisoner, Saldo, and most any Orin Swift Wine will be impressed!

C A L IFO RNI A ZINFA NDEL

2018

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DOMAINE CHARLY NICOLLE CHABLIS MONT DE MILIEU PREMIER CRU Chablis represents the northern most region of Burgundy and is dedicated to white wines. Made from 100% Chardonnay from a single premier cru vineyard, Oak barrels are rarely used. The result is firmly textured chardonnay that has beautiful acidity and minerality, and pairs perfectly with lighter dishes or shellfish.

DOMAINE JOSEPH VOILLOT VOLNAY PREMIER CRU CHAMPANS 2015 Volnay is one of the smaller villages in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune region, just south of the town of Beaune. In particular, the Champans vineyard is very near the town of Pommard and is a bold expression of the pinot noir grape. 2015 was an incredible vintage for red Burgundy, and some premier cru bottlings like this one can age for decades under the right conditions.

FRANCE - PREMIER CRU BURGUNDY

2018

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GHOST BLOCK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Ghost Block is 100% Estate farmed and produced in Oakville, perhaps Napa Valley’s most famous appellation. Neighbors include Silver Oak, Plumpjack, and Opus One. A Blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, and 6% Petit Verdot, this is organically farmed from the 30-year-old Rock Cairn Vineyard. It spends 24 months in 60% New French Oak Barrels and has a warm, toasty finish.

MEYER FAMILY CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON OAKVILLE FLUFFY BILLOWS Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, Matt Meyer is the son of Justin Meyer who founded Silver Oak Winery. This wine spends 22 months in 50% New French Oak Barrels, and it’s all about Oakville and tradition. Look for a healthy amount of spice and cedar.

N A PA VA L L E Y – O A K V I L L E

2018

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

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ARKENSTONE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Arkenstone is wonderfully situated on top of Howell Mountain looking down at the town of St. Helena.

With vineyards ranging in elevation from 1400 to 1600 feet, the grapes get to bathe in the sun above the fog layer that forms in Napa Valley. The estate is tiny at just 13 acres and is farmed organically, and the wines are memorable! Just in case you were wondering, winery’s name is a reference to the Lord of the Rings!

ARKENSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC Arkenstone’s sauvignon blanc is special because it is planted in the same area that is typically reserved for cabernet sauvignon. Interestingly, the sauvignon blanc grape is one of the “parents” of cabernet sauvignon (the other being cabernet franc). This sauvignon blanc achieves a wonderful honeyed flavor indicative of a unique site above the fog line.

N A PA VA L L E Y - H O W E L L M O U N TA I N

2018

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BREWER CLIFTON CHARDONNAY SANTA RITA HILLS Santa Rita Hills is a wonderfully cool pocket along California’s Central Coast that is perfect for growing pinot noir and chardonnay. Greg Brewer has over 20 vintages under his belt and is extremely meticulous in all details of winemaking and the goal is to make full-bodied wines that have great acidity. 100% Estate grown and bottled, only neutral French Oak barrels are used to preserve freshness.

DOMAINE DE LA COTE SANTA RITA HILLS PINOT NOIR This project represents renown sommelier, Raj Parr’s full conversion to winemaking. These wines have incredible acidity and focus and represents a commitment to very special cool vineyard sites.

The wine is transparent and meaningful and is an homage to Burgundy in both the expression of pinot noir and chardonnay.

C A L I F O R N I A - S A N TA BARBARA COUNT Y

2018

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BRAMARE CHARDONNAY Bramare is made by Paul Hobbs at his Argentine winery called Vina Cobos. Paul Hobbs is one of Napa’s most celebrated winemakers, and when he discovered Argentina’s potential he built a winery in Mendoza! This chardonnay is ripe and creamy, rich and has incredible texture. Interestingly, Paul was one of the first winemakers to produce a single vineyard Malbec aged in French Oak barrels, and this chardonnay represents a bold, ripe style.

CATENA ZAPATA MALBEC - FORTUNA Nicholas Catena is like Argentina’s Robert Mondavi as he was among the very first to establish Argentina’s fine wine movement. The Mendoza region of Argentina is wonderfully suited for growing vines because of its elevation. At nearly a mile high, the vineyards benefit from the immense diurnal temperature fluctuations that give grapes ripeness and preserve acidity. This is a cooler-climate Malbec that resembles in some ways like a top shelf Rhône wine.

ARGENTINA

2018

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JORDAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON VERTICAL 2009, 2011, AND 2013 This is a special opportunity to taste Sonoma’s most famous cabernet after it has been aged for 5, 7, and 9 years. The style is that of a French Bordeaux, so it is noticeably different from the big Napa Wines.

As a result, this is one of the most food-friendly cabernet bottlings that graces many of America’s top steak-houses. These wines age beautifully with cedar and tobacco flavors complimenting red fruits.

SO N O M A - A L E X A N D ER VA L L E Y

2018

AROUND THE WORLD WINE TASTING

NOTES

2018

Thank you to our event chair Becky Hester and the entire wine committee for your time spent planning this year’s event.

From L to R: Tim Roberts, CIBC Bank USA; Gloria Kantor, ACG Atlanta; Becky Hester, RSM US LLP; Scott Kray, Regions Business Capital; Bill Wade, Company.com; Jesse Speltz, DHG, LLP; Melanie Brandt, ACG Atlanta; Virginia Kiseljack; PNC Business Credit; Sue Miller, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Lori Brooks, The Siegfried Group; Stacey Schacter, Vion Investments Not Pictured: Ann Cox, JP Morgan; Hazen Dempster, Troutman Sanders; Nance Donaldson, CRESA; Ana Hudson, Citizens Bank; Rett Peaden, Smith Gambrell & Russell; James Vanke, Pensionmark

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