Newsletter - WOMC

L osing A Father Is...

Losing a father is difficult. Losing a friend is difficult. Losing a mentor is difficult. Losing all three requires difficult soul searching.

My brother and sister and I buried my father last Saturday; a great tribute to a great man. My brother spoke on the lineage of fatherhood from my father's grandfather to our father. My sister, the judge, spoke on lessons and legacies of our parents. I, being the jokester in the family, spoke of their sense of humor and anecdotal events.

But there was a reason; it would be futile to try and put into a 5 minute discord the impact my father had on my life. Maybe being the youngest put me in position

to be dragged to various meetings throughout his business career. And this is an important point: His business career. Unlike me, he never identified himself with his vocation. He was able at anytime to disconnect from his vocation and move to the next stage in life. Meaning, he never looked back at his Pharmacy days as his identity nor did he lament leaving the wine industry. Such an important lesson.

When reflecting on his life; leaving Cairo for America with the proverbial $25 in his pocket, earning a Masters at USC, working for corporate America and transitioning into entrepreneurship, getting involved in philanthropy, getting involved in professional activism, disconnecting from one career to start anew, and many other unpredictable ventures, I began to realize my parents had no fear of life; or at least they didn’t show it.

348 WINES EVALUATED | 287 WINES REJECTED | 61 APPROVED MOST INTERESTING WINE TASTED: TORRONTES, 2014. BILBAO “WHO BARREL AGES A TORROTES?!?!”

His first Pharmacy opened in 1958 in Inglewood California.

What a wonderful lesson to portray. Take life by the horns, do what lights you up and see where you land, don’t take “no” for an answer when going after your goals, be kind to people along the way and you too can say at the end of all this “..it was a good run, son.”

One can only hope to pass as my parents did without pain and in full faculties; they just plum wore out.

Au revoir, mes amis, au revoir. Pour la dernière fois, au revoir.

FLASHBACK

A LOOK BACK AT SOME STELLAR SELECTIONS WITH ED MASCIANA

Selections for June 1985

ZINFANDEL, 1981. BOEGER WINERY. This was one of the first vintages of Greg and Susan Boeger and it was great timing. They went on to score hit after hit with their wines and we never stopped featuring them. Our members agreed and their wines were always a favorite. It was a great deal for both of us.

GEWURZTRAMINER, 1983. TRIMBACH.

Trimbach’s multi-century roots is what drove Hubert Trimbach and his brother, Peter, to continue to produce the most outstanding wines in Alsace. Hubert became a fan of Wine of the Month to the point that each time he visited he made sure that we dined together.

Dad showing his Imperial of Champagne. I have the empty bottle from his 25th wedding anniversary.

RECIPES CELLAR NOTES

James Martin Ribs

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

· 4 beef ribs

· 1 onion chopped

· Cloves from one head of garlic

· 1 tsp fennel seeds

· 2 star rinse

· Salt and freshly ground black pepper

· Dash of Worcestershire

· 3 tbsp chives, finely sliced

· Chicken or beef stock, optional

PREPARATION

Cut the celery, carrot, onion, and potatoes into 1/4" cubes.

Place the ribs in a large, wide saucepan. Cover with water or stock and add the Worcestershire, onion, garlic, fennel seeds and star anise. Bring to a boil. Place in oven for 3 hours, or until the meat is tender. Top with chives for garnish.

Serve with Drifting Old Vines Zinfandel, Cantele Primitivo or Loica Cabernet Sauvignon .

Quick And Easy Sole

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

· 1 1⁄2 cups chicken stock

· Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

· Olive oil

· Butter

· 4 (6-oz.) filets skinless sole, orange roughie, or haddock, pin bones removed

· 4 tomatoes

· 1/2 lb. green beans

· 1 medium zucchini

· 1 cup red quinoa

· 2 tbsp. minced chives

PREPARATION

Cut and slice all veggies to prep. Bring stock to a boil in a 1-qt. saucepan. Stir in quinoa, salt, and pepper; reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, until liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Heat oven to 450°. Toss tomatoes with 3 tbsp. oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Bake until browned, 12–15 minutes.

Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes with a pinch of salt. Heat remaining oil and 1 tbsp. butter in a 12in skillet over medium-high heat. Season fish with salt and pepper; cook, flipping once, until golden and cooked, 3–4 minutes. To serve, divide quinoa, vegetables, and fish between 4 plates.

Serve with Citra Trebbiano, Fuego Austral, or Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay.

A report on how previous selections are faring with age. Obtained from actual tastings of wines under optimal storage conditions.

CLASSIC SERIES

September 2020:

Old Vine Zinfandel, 2016. Loose Moose. Great now.

Chardonnay, 2019. Root Cause. Drink.

Pinot Noir, 2018. Root Cause. Drink or hold.

Sauvignon Blanc, 2019. Root Cause. Perfect.

September 2021 :

Pinot Noir, 2018. Rutz Cellars. At its best.

Chardonnay, 2020. Back Story. Ready. Carmenere, 2019. Hermoso Hermosa. Still going strong.

Chardonnay, 2019. Silver Lining. Drink up .

VINTNERS SERIES

September 2020:

Tempranillo, 2019. Tartana Lane. Going strong.

Pinot Grigio, 2018. Signore Guiseppe. At its best.

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018. Root Cause. Drink or hold.

September 2021:

Sept. 2021. Red Blend, 2017. Torrevieja Reserva. Great now.

Petite Sirah, 2018. Rowdy Bush. Drink or hold. White Blend, NV. Keerk. Ready.

LIMITED SERIES

August 2020 :

Zinfandel, 2016. Artezin. At its best.

Chianti Riserva, 2016. Pierazzuoli. Still awesome.

Chardonnay, 2016. Calculated Risk. Ready.

August 2021 :

Merlot, 2018. Huntington. Still singing. Cote de Brouilly, 2015. Fellot Emmanuel. Drink or hold.

Chardonnay, 2019. Domaine de Rochebin. At its best.

Recipe and photo by www.jamiegeller.com

Recipe and photo by www.saveur.com

Try one of our specialty wine series

ROSE SERIES

Hand-curated Rosé from all over the world. A Rosé lover’s dream.

BORDEAUX SERIES

From the most prolific district in the world come wines from my favorite châteaux.

NAPA & sonoma SERIES

From the backroads of the Napa and Sonoma Valley come these hard to find examples.

SWEET SERIES

Light, fresh and lively are these wines with a sweet edge.

pure Organic SERIES

The newest in wine categories, these are curated from all over the organic/biodynamic vineyards of the world.

pacific SERIES

A great value red wine only club that features many styles from California, Oregon, and Washington.

original clubs

Classic • Vintner’s • Limited Special Values.

“After tasting over 100,000 wines, I have learned to choose only the best representations of the grapes and growing regions.”

-Paul Kalemkiarian

2nd generation owner

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“ Anytime I can get old vines... ” – PK

97

Lodi, California

“

Zin · fuhn

Drifting is crafted by Ironstone Vineyards, one of the giants of California wine located in none other than Lodi. The numbers are incredible. Their 7,000 acre estate combined with an additional 100,000 acres which they share with 75 growers makes them the 6th largest grape grower in the state. They incredibly account for 37% of all the Zinfandel produced in California.

The German-born founder, John Kautz, settled in Lodi in 1926 and went about establishing what would become Ironstone Vineyards. The company is run by the 5th generation and has developed wines from several outstanding appellations including Napa, Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties. Ironstone has become synonymous with Zinfandel which means they have something to prove with every bottle they produce. They have worn the moniker well. Every time they bring us one of their wines, we are stupefied.

Zinfandel was the darling of winemakers dating back to the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately, that’s what lead to its demise. We used to call it the “winemakers new toy” because it was so plentiful that everybody tried to make something different. While a noble effort, it confused the daylights out of the consumers. When they picked up a bottle of Zinfandel they didn’t know what they were getting. It could be dry, sweet, red, white, rosé or a combination.

COLOR

NOSE

ID: C0922R1

Reorder Price: $10.99

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal .

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“ Citra is well respected... ” – PK

CITRA

2018 TREBBIANO

Ortona, Italy

12 % Alcohol by Volume

“ Treh · bee · aa · now ”

Citra is a co-op founded in 1973 by no less than 3,000 small family growers amassing more than 15,000 acres. Together they would share the huge winery they built and be able to concentrate on growing grapes knowing they would be able to sell them and continue to produce.

Montepulciano was known for its inexpensive wines of nice, but ordinary character. Most of the growers couldn’t make a living at the prices they had to charge in order to sell their wine. The establishment of a co-op allowed them to not only make better wines, but at a lower cost, thus raising their income. Many pushed the envelop further into making outstanding wine and charging more. The quality was there and the public responded.

Montepulciano is a mountainous region on the Italy’s Adriatic Coast. It is almost as well known for the sheep that graze here as it is for its wine. The nature of the land dictates that yields are lower, thus producing more flavorful grapes from which they can make more flavorful wine. Trebbiano is the most planted white grape in Italy. But they are not all created equal. Here they call it Trebbiano d’Abruzzo to signify that it is a nobler rendition than found in other areas.

Our selection certainly holds up to that rendition. The lilting floral arrangement offers pear, green apple, and quince with a dizzying finish of orange blossom. The entire concert of flavors match the food of the region such as an anchovy pasta with garlic or Branzino with tomato and basil.

96

COLOR Very Pale

Now thru 2024

ID: C0922W1

Reorder Price: $9.99

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal .

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

SOLO CONTIGO

2017 CARBERNET FRANC

Uco Valley, Medonza, Argentina

13.6 % Alcohol by Volume “

Solo Contigo translates to “Only with you.” The winery was founded in the Uco Valley of Argentina by a Canadian couple, Noel and Terry Neelands, who besides their love of wine are also art collectors. Their wine adventure began in Argentina in 2009 when they purchased land suitable for growing grapes.

Cabernet Franc must sit next to its big brother, uncle, father or whatever you want to call it, Cabernet Sauvignon. Yes, it is a direct descendent of Cabernet Sauvignon, however it has more often been confused with Merlot because of the similarities it has with regard to leaf structure and flavor. As one of the five allowed grapes in Bordeaux, it has its own place in the mix, and occasionally takes center stage. Cabernet Franc is often confused with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in blind tastings, but when tasted side by side, there are several differences. Franc tended to be a bit leaner and more acidic, which is why it was almost always blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. However, many wineries have learned out to handle the grape differently and are turning our stunning wines with Cabernet Franc.

This is the first Cabernet Franc we’ve featured from Argentina and it is a beauty. Earlier renditions were weedy and tart, but our Solo Contigo rates with many of the great Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots we’ve featured in the past.At first, the black fruit penetrates the senses but then evolves into lengthy billowing of raspberries and cocoa. Try with brick flattened chicken lamb skewers.

Authoritative, Engaging

PAIRING

CELLAR

Now thru 2023

ID: C0922R2

Reorder Price: $10.99

FUEGO AUSTRAL

2021 CHARDONNAY

Central Valley, Chile

13 % Alcohol by Volume “

While Argentina was making its name with Malbec, the Ventisquero Family decided to make Chile famous for Chardonnay. The winery was founded in 1998 by the Ventisquero’s in the heart of Chile’s Maipo Valley. They planted grapes in the finest sub-zones in the Maipo Valley, namely Casablanca and Colchagua. In 2019 they won the Best Chilean Winery award by none other than the Berlin Wine Association. We know that the Germans know a thing or two about wine.

They are very involved in the welfare and well-being of the land and the people that work it. It is now certified sustainable, which means they only use what they can re-use to protect the soil and natural habitat around them with undaunting precision. The theory is that saving the land will save themselves. This commitment is carried through in their wine making. For instance, the grapes for our selection took a three weeks to pick! That is unheard of in most vineyards. Going through the vineyards many times and only picking the ripest, most perfect grapes is about as expensive a process as there is. But, that’s what they do and the result leaves no argument.

This unoaked beauty is nothing less than a standout. After fermentation, the wine was left on the “lees” for four months. The lees are the tiny particles of stem and seeds that were pulverized during crush. They mysteriously add a grip to the wine which accounts for the long finish. Bright green apple and spice is perfect with seafood pasta or smoked salmon.

C0922W2

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

”Any

Other Name It's Zinfandel..” – PK

CANTELE

2019 PRIMITIVO

IGT Salento, Italy

14 % Alcohol by Volume

The Cantele estate is a third-generation family-owned and run winery founded by the current generation’s grandparents, immigrants from the north who settled in Puglia after WWII. The winery is known for its pioneering work with Chardonnay and its passion for native grapes. The narrow Salento peninsula, wherein the vineyards are located, is renowned for high-quality wine thanks to abundant ventilation, temperate weather, extreme diurnal shifts in summer, and limestone-rich soils. Over the last two decades, Cantele has implemented a cutting-edge “minimal intervention” system in its vineyards, thus ensuring freshness and varietal expression throughout their wines. Primitivo is known for being very dark, juicy, and high in alcohol, on account of how quickly the grapes ripen, with lower acidity levels. Cantele became a Salento Primitivo pioneer when it first released this wine more than a decade ago. Vinified in stainless steel and aged in oak, this lithe expression of Puglia’s most famous grape offers elegant red fruit flavors without ever overwhelming the palate.

This wine is deep garnet in color in the glass. You will find notes of raspberry, tobacco, and chocolate on the nose, followed by supple tannins and blackberry, plum and blackcurrant notes on the palate. Cantele Primitivo is a versatile wine at the dinner table, its juiciness will pair wonderfully with a variety of foods- Italian and international. It is great paired with pulled pork in tangy BBQ sauce, ribs, steaks, or anything else with a lot of flavors and a little char. Wood fired pizza would also work well as a pairing with this wine. For a more vegetable focused meal, pair this wine with eggplant Parmesan.

COLOR

Deep Garnet

NOSE

Raspberry, Tobacco, Chocolate

PALATE

Plum, Blackberry, Blackcurrant

FINISH

Long Finish

PAIRING

Steak, Pulled Pork, Pizza

CELLAR

Now thru 2025

ID: V0922R1

Reorder Price: $14.99

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara

PARADISE RIDGE

2019 CARBERNET SAUVIGNON

Sonoma County, California

13.6 % Alcohol by Volume

“ cab

We don’t normally see wines of this caliber in the Vintner’s Series, so when we tasted it, we jumped at the chance. Needless to say, the value here is extraordinary. The grapes hail from the Rockpile vineyard where many of the vines are 70 years old. That alone accounts for the amazing core of this wine.

Walter and Marjorie Byck purchased the property in 1977. Its view of the Russian River Valley was, and still is, nothing short of majestic. Their passion for art at first turned the property into a curated sculpture grove, serving as a gathering space for their community. It was their interest in wine that caused them to found the winery in 1991.

Winemaker, Dan Barwick, has been crafting legendary wines for 20 years gaining an intimate understanding of this appellation and allowing the wines to truly showcase the flavors of the vineyard. The grapes are harvested over a three week period, assuring that only the most perfect are used. They are then hand-sorted, discarding any over or under ripe ones. The wine is then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 40% of which are new. This treatment alone costs a fortune. But, we’re not arguing. The results are nothing less than spectacular. The plethora of scents and flavors swirl in the nose and on the palate with black currant, cherry, vanilla, tobacco and spice. Matching with a prime grade rib eye grilled to medium rare and served with potatoes and haricot vert would be nothing short of an elixir.

Long

Now thru 2027

ID: V0922R2

Reorder Price: $14.99

Overall Rating : (1-100)

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

MER SOLEIL SILVER

2019 CHARDONNAY

Monterrey County, California

14.2% Alcohol by Volume

“ shar • doh • nay ”

Mer Soleil was founded 30 years ago in the Santa Lucia Highland by Chuck Wagner, proprietor of one of Napa’s most iconic wineries, Caymus. Caymus hit the ground running 50 years ago with a string of exceptional wines and still is considered in the top 10.

Chuck was also one of the smartest winemakers as well. He knew he couldn’t make world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Rutherford, so looked around until he found the jewel of these two grapes in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Santa Lucia has often been called the Burgundy of California, not so much as to compare the wines side by side, but because the wines from here are so unique and distinctive. It is very evident from the nose to the palate that the wine could only come from one place.

Chuck’s son, Charlie, now runs Mer Soleil with the same zeal and passion of his father. He was one of the first to produce a Chardonnay with no oak treatment. This was considered heresy until people tasted it. And then, just like that, it became very fashionable as you’ll see when you taste it.

Charlie fashioned his wine around Chablis, most of which are unoaked. Given the terroir the grapes are grown in, only makes it more special than its peers. The apple, pear and guava components mix with citrus and earth tones to present an enigmatic offering that is as exciting as it is delicious. Try with challenging dishes like lobster Thermador or shrimp scampi.

COLOR Very Pale NOSE Green Apple, Pear PALATE Enveloping FINISH Citrusy Edge

Now thru 2024

ID: V0922W1

Reorder Price: $13.99

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

2013 CARBERNET SAUVIGNON Maipo Valley, Chile

14 % Alcohol by Volume

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“Classic Chile….” – PK

97

Loica is the name of a Chilean bird found in Chile’s Alto Cachapoal district. It was founded in 1994 by the owners of Larose Trintaudon, in Bordeaux, when they partnered with a Chilean family eager to make world class wines in a Bordeaux style. This, of course, is easier said than done. After all, Bordeaux is the most famous wine region in the world. Everyone wants to emulate them but few succeed. However, when the experience and dedication of one of Bordeaux’s greatest chateau is involved, anything can happen.

Larose Trintaudon was founded in 1830 by the owners of Chateaux Gruaud, one of Bordeaux classified growths. It went through trials and tribulation with the phylloxera disaster in the late 1800s, a world war and a depression. Ownership was transferred to the Forner family of Ch. Camensac who also owned the famed Rioja property, Marques de Caceres. This transaction brought it back to its former glory. They hired one of the most respected vineyardists in France, Emile Peynaud, to supervise. Maipo Valley is Chile's most important wine-producing regions. It lies just south of the capital, Santiago, and is home to the country's most prestigious wineries. It is often described as the 'Bordeaux of South America', and now they have a legitimate reason to do so.

Our 100% Cabernet is as close to Bordeaux as you can get. The complex layers of aromas and flavors from ripe plum to hints of cranberry and pomegranate so beautifully integrated it comes off as one superb flavor. A luscious veal stew would do.

Now

ID: L0922R1

Reorder Price: $18.49

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal .

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“ Pure Muscat... ” – PK

SOLO

2019 MUSCAT

Campo De Borja D.O., Spain

13 % Alcohol by Volume

96

Bodegas Aragonesas is a co-op located in the Aragon region of northern Spain, in the center of the Campo de Borja appellation where Granacha, or Grenache, is king. As the locals say, “El Imperio de Garnacha” (the Empire of Grenache). Although Aragonesas Bodegas was founded in 1984, the cultivation of the vines on the property- particularly Garnacha- stems from 1145AD, originally cultivated by the Cistercian monks of the Monastery of Veruela. The generation now running the winery understands the value of the historic legacy they have inherited and hope to continue to enrich it to reach its highest potential. They hope to express their love of Garnacha, both the land and in the winery, and know that as an essential part of their heritage they will do their best to continuously improve methods of cultivation and winemaking.

The red, stony soil on their 3.700 hectares of vineyards provides the best environment for their principal grape varieties: Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Mazuela, Chardonnay, Macaeo, and Muscat. These vigorous and robust vines, some more than 100 years old, are firmly established on unparalleled land that, combined with the harsh climate, give our grapes their distinctive quality and personality. The low yield produces very concentrated, powerful and very aromatic wines. This wine is pale yellow in color with shiny green hues. The nose is complex and intense, with aromas of citrus- grapefruit, lemon, and orange peel, as well as tropical passion fruit. The wine is smooth, with notes of fresh herbs and boxwood on the palate, followed by a fruity uplift, and perfect balance between acidity and structure. Pair with Charcuterie and a cheese plate, making sure to include blue cheese or sharp and strong French cheeses. For lighter fare, pair this Muscat with light salads or grilled seafood, such as salmon.

FINISH

Long and Elegant

PAIRING

Charcuterie, Cheese, Spicy Food, Seafood

CELLAR Enjoy Now

ID: L0922W1

Reorder Price: $16.49

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal .

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

" Classic Argentine… ” – PK

LOS NOQUES

2018 RED BLEND

Uco Valley, Argentina

14.3 % Alcohol by Volume

96

The winery was built in 1938 in Argentina’s Uco Valley, which rises to almost 4,000 feet above sea level. It was purchased by the Arrigoni Family in 2005 and folded into their medium-sized wine business, which had been founded in the 1960s also in the Uco Valley.

They farm 10 separate parcels of vineyards, each with its own unique qualities, giving them a large canvas on which to draw from every vintage. Our selection comes from four of those parcels and consists of 70% Merlot, 20% Bonarda and 10% Malbec. The permutation of grapes is nothing less than absolutely fascinating. Consider Bonarda. There is a grape of the same name grown in Piedmont, that is a cousin of the one in Argentina, but they’re not the same. To make things even more confusing, the Italian version was the most planted grape in France’s Savoir region where it was called Douce Noir. Douce Noir emigrated to the US where it is known as Charbono, which is considered an Italian grape.

As we like to say, a Douce Noir by any other name is probably Bonarda. All this falderal doesn’t say anything about what the grape adds to the mix. Even in small amounts, the color is so dark and the flavors so dense, its impact is felt. That feeling translates to an exciting wine with power and grace to spare. The color is almost opaque. The nose redolent with deep, dark plum and anise and finish is titillating. Matching with a charred rib eye or smoked pork ribs would be a yum in spades.

ID: L0922R2

Reorder Price: $18.49

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“ This is solid Tavel....” – PK

BROTTE TAVEL

2021 ROS É Les Églantiers, France

13 % Alcohol by Volume

98

There is little argument that the rosés of Tavel are as good as rosé can get. Back in the 1970s the Wine of the Month was featuring rosés from Tavel long before it was popular. The wines were, and still are, out of this world.

The chateau was founded in 1931 by Charles Brotte in Chateauneuf du Pape, which was barely a ripple in the wine ocean. Since then, of course, it has become one of the most famous wines of the world. Tavel is within the appellation of Chateauneuf du Pape where only rosé is produced. It was the French playwright, Balzac, who first crowed the rosés of Chateauneuf du Pape as the “King of rosés” in the early 1800s.

Suffice to say that producers, like Brotte, have a lot to live up to. Today the holdings are run by Laurent Brotte, the grandson of the founder. They now own several estates in the Sothern Rhone and are sold in 95 countries and five continents around the world.

The grapes are gently crushed and left on the skins for up to 12 hours to attain that lovely blush of color. They are then separated from the skins and left to finish fermentation in very cold vats to allow the lilting flavors to develop.

The result is spectacular rosé featuring wild strawberry and cherry blossom paired with a spectacular floral component and an ingratiating finish punctuated by lime zest. Matching with an ahi tuna salad orange chicken would be otherworldly.

COLOR

Deep Pink NOSE

Striking Cherry

PALATE

Flowers, Strawberries

FINISH

Long & Luscious

PAIRING

Fish, Fowl, Vegetarian CELLAR

Now thru 2023

ID: R0922R1

Reorder Price: $17.00

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal .

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

CHATEU DE CUGAT

2016 BORDEAUX

Bordeaux, France

14.5 % Alcohol by Volume

98

When looking for value and quality in Bordeaux knowing where to look is key. This delightful red from winemaker Benoit Meyer comes from the Entre-Deux-Mers, an appellation known for white wines. When Benoit began overseeing the estate in the early nineties, he noticed that part of his vineyard had a mixture of sand and gravel soil, much like the prestigious vineyards of nearby Pomerol. Benoit’s dream to make excellent red wine from in the Entre-Deux-Mers was realized in 1997.

The Chateau de Cugat was constructed in the 1500's. Located in the small town of Blasimon, it stands upon a hill overlooking the village. The vineyards surround the Chateau, and are comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc for red wines, and Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle for white wines.This wine is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged primarily in tank with some barrel lots included in the blend.

This wine is a deep red in the glass. The nose is dense with blackcurrant, cherry, vanilla, spice and tobacco notes converge on the palate. This wine is full-bodied with silky lingering tannins and a well-integrated, the finish long and persuasive. It pairs well with bistro foods: think steak frites, lamb burgers, pate, duck confit, and tartes.

COLOR

Deep Red

NOSE

Blackcurrant, Cherry, Vanilla, Tobacco

PALATE

Rich and Serious Tannins

FINISH

Long and Inviting

PAIRING

Steak Frites, Lamb Burgers, and Tartes

CELLAR

Now thru 2025

ID: B0922R1

Reorder Price: $22.99

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“ The small cork! Big wine.. ” – PK

LE PETIT BOUCHON

2020 BORDEAUX

Bordeaux, France

15 % Alcohol by Volume

97

The name reflects the owner of Chateau Ferreyres, Florian Bouchon. The chateaux is located on the right bank of the Gironde River near Saint Emilion, one of the most famous appellations in France. Our selection is a lighter and more approachable version of the large and lovely wines of Chateau Ferreyres, but still has the signature of Florian, a master winemaker. Unlike the wines of Ferreyres, Petite Bouchon is 100% Merlot, which accounts for its lushness without a lot of tannins. All the vineyards are organic and feature biodiversity to protect the grapes, the workers and the environment. It’s Bouchon’s attention to detail which accounts for his superb wines.

Our selection proves that. The grapes are picked at night when the weather is cooler. This prevents any spontaneous fermentation should the skin crack on the trip to the winery. Next comes the hand sorting on conveyer belts where grapes that are too ripe or two green are discarded. They are then pressed and fermented at cold temperatures, which preserves the delicate fruit component. The winery has been completely organic since its planting in 2019. No chemicals have been used here, which means the vineyard is as pristine as possible. This process is more expensive to in the first place but ends up paying dividends in the future. Chemicals are very expensive and keep getting more so every year.

The result is a spectacular offering giving off flavors of currant and cranberry held together by the soft, delicate tannins. Serving with a variety of meats, cheeses and even fowl would be a delight.

CELLAR

Now thru 2023

ID: B0922R2

Reorder Price: $22.99

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

" Fresh, clean version… " – PK

LE PETIT BOUCHON

2020

France

Petit Bouchon is crafted by Florian Bouchon, owner of Chateau Ferreyres, the chateau is on the right bank of Bordeaux near Saint Emilion, one of the most famous appellations in France. Florian decided on the name to reflect his own unique winemaking style.

All of his vineyards are organic and feature biodiversity to protect the grapes, the workers and the environment. It is Bouchon’s attention to detail which accounts for his superb wines. The grapes for our selection were picked at night when the weather is cooler. This prevents any spontaneous fermentation should the skin crack on the trip to the winery. Next comes the hand sorting on conveyer belts where grapes that are too ripe or two green are discarded. They are then pressed and fermented at cold temperatures, which preserves the delicate fruit component.

Bordeaux blanc can be made from several different varieties, but Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the main ones and can be used in any percentage the winemaker deems necessary. In this case it is 50% each of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The blend shows off both grapes with Sauvignon, being the more aggressive, shining. Yet, the Semillon brings a soft and supple nature as well.

The wine offers a very clean and bright expression of Bordeaux blanc featuring aromas and flavors of white peach, apricot, and fig. No oak is used so only the freshness of the grapes is evident. The acidity would shine with challenging dishes like raw oysters or a spicy seafood pasta.

ID: B0922W1

Reorder Price: $18.99

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Sonoma County, California

15.4 % Alcohol by Volume

The only thing we needed to know about Homefire is that it is made at Sonoma’s Mazzocco Winery. They have produced many of California’s most outstanding Zinfandels for nearly 50 years. Winemaker, Michael Sterling, takes his 20 years of experience to Mazzocco and works in concert with their winemaker, Antoine Favero. Antoine was born in Champagne, but came to Sonoma at very early age.

Sterling was born into the dairy business and made a career in journalism and producing Emmy winning news shows. It was his parent’s love of wine that influenced him to the point that he ended up at UC Davis studying enology and viticulture. He now owns 10 acres in Dry Creek Valley.

The vines for our selection are now 70 years old. Vines of this age produce less than half the grapes they did 50 years earlier, but the intensity and flavors are beyond compare. Add to that the fact that the vineyard is 1,200 feet above sea level and you have a perfect condition for making great wine. At one time, Zinfandel was the most planted grape in California. It could make good to great wine in almost any area and thus was always a safe bet. Some say too safe. Then another grape came along and stole its thunder. It was called Cabernet Sauvignon.

But stalwarts, like Sterling, never gave up. As a result, we offer this densely packed selection loaded with rich strawberry fruit, spice and earth to spare. A fired tri-tip or lamb shanks would be a perfect foil.

COLOR

Front to Back Flavor FINISH

Long, Astonishing PAIRING

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“ Incredible Napa style…” – PK

STEPHEN VINCENT

2019 CARBERNET SAUVIGNON

Napa Valley, California

14.5% Alcohol by Volume

98

Stephen Vincent was forerunner of California’s wine industry and Sonoma County’s rise to stardom. It was a passion project of three friends, all wine industry veterans. The founders included La Crema winemaker Robert Goyette, prominent vineyard owner Hossein Namdar and Robert Mondavi executive Stephen Vincent Situm, who became the brand’s namesake. Their mission was clear – to create a portfolio of wines that showcase the best of Northern California, at price points that are accessible to everyone. With their combined expertise, the trio found rapid success with their latest venture.

Through the community of winegrowers and producers in Sonoma County in the early 2000s, they began working with Dennis Carroll at his new bottling facility. Dennis went on to create Wine Hooligans with the vision of bringing artisan wines made by passionate winemakers to market. This was a perfect match for Stephen Vincent and its founders. The wines of Stephen Vincent are sourced from some of the most prestigious regions in Northern California. Under the direction of award-winning winemaker Adam LaZarre, they partner with winegrowers dedicated to producing fantastic fruit vintage after vintage. This Cabernet, with grapes from Rutherford, Oak Knoll, and St. Helena districts, was aged in 65% French oak and 35% American oak. It is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of dark chocolate, black currant, and black cherry with hints of sage and cedar. Rich, ripe, and round flavors of blackberry and boysenberry fill the mouth with chocolate-covered sour kirsch and ancho chili picking up mid-palate. A solid seam of acidity supports the fine-grained tannins at the finish. Pair this wine with a grilled steak for a classic no-fail pairing, or go with a blue cheese burger for something a little more adventurous. Slow-braised beef short ribs will pair nicely with this wine, with a side of rosemary roasted potatoes or roasted mushrooms.

COLOR

Deep Rich Ruby

NOSE

Dark Chocolate, Black Cherry, Sage

PALATE

Blackberry, Boysenberry

FINISH

Long and Elegant

PAIRING

Tight Tannins, Ancho Chilli

CELLAR

Now thru 2025

ID: N0922R2

Reorder Price: $24.00

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal .

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“ Most interesting version…” – PK

CROCKER AND STARR

2021 SAUVIGNON BLANC

Napa Valley, California

14.1% Alcohol by Volume

“ saw • vee • nyon • blahnk ” ”

Crocker and Starr brings two superstars from completely different backgrounds to produce wines of unmatched perfection. Charlie Crocker is a San Francisco business man who founded two companies. One provided electronic stability control in vehicles. The other produced medical devices for women’s health care.

His interest in wine caused him to found Crocker and Starr in 1997 with Pam Starr, one of California’s most respected winemakers. Pam began her career after graduating from UC Davis at Sonoma Cutrer, one of the regions most famous wineries. She ended up at Spotswoode, considered one of the top Napa Valley wineries and has been for nearly 40 years.

The announcement of the partnership made headlines all over the wine world. After all, nobody had heard of Charlie Crocker and Pam Starr had completed a string of acclaimed wines from Spotswoode that is unsurpassed. Though Spotswoode is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, their Sauvignon Blanc received similar accolades and for good reason. They were one of the best in the state. Yes, Napa Valley is famous the world over for Cabernet Sauvignon, but just like Bordeaux, they produce many of the finest wines from the Sauvignon Blanc grape in the world. Our selection is one of them.

The complex flavors and nuances come at all angles on the palate. First there is ripe mandarin tangerine followed by white peach all secured by a creamy texture and gripping finish. Matching can come from all fronts. Spicy Asian cuisine to Cioppino in a rich tomato broth would be equally inviting.

97

NOSE

PALATE

FINISH

PAIRING

Seafood Shellfish

CELLAR

Now thru 2024

ID: N0922W1

Reorder Price: $25.00

* value score : the points awarded to a wine compared to wines tasted of the same price , region and varietal .

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

NINE HATS

2019 RIESLING

Columbia Valley, Washington

13.4 % Alcohol by Volume

Allen Shoup built Chateau Ste. Michelle into not only the largest winery in Washington, but one of the largest in the US. Under his leadership, they launched several other brands, all of which were successful. As a result, Ste. Michelle was almost always on everybody’s top 10 lists of US wineries. After 20 years of success, Shoup retired. That’s not the end of the story, but the beginning of another one. You see, people like Allen Shoup don’t “retire.” They reinvent themselves and, in his case, reinvented the wine industry as well.

Nine Hats was his new invention. The name refers to nine of what Shoup believes to be the best winemakers in the world. None of them said no. They were picked from Italy, California, Australia, France and Germany. A state of the art winery was built and all nine participate in one way or another in the crafting of the wines under one roof.

The concept is mind boggling. If someone came to us and said that was their plan, it would be difficult to not laugh them out of the room. Suffice to say that we would have been mistaken. Needless to say, there were no mistakes ever since their first vintage in 2003.

Washington State has long been known for great Riesling and this one belongs at the top. The clone came all the way from Germany, Riesling capital of the world. The citrus, jasmine, and melon notes match the earth and apricot to produce a classic accompaniment to baked cod or smoked salmon.

“

ID: S0922W1

Reorder Price: $16.00

Tasting Comments :

Overall Rating : (1-100)

WHY I CHOSE THIS WINE

“Finally, a German Riesling..” – PK

FRITZ WINDISCH

2020 RIESLING

Germany

9.5 % Alcohol by Volume

“ REESE • ling ”

The Windisch Family history only goes back to 1780 and is located in the Southern Rhine known as the Rheinhessen. That would be old enough for us. What is interesting to note is that for nearly 150 years they didn’t bottle their own wine. They had it bottled elsewhere as the cost of owning a winery was too great to contemplate. It wasn’t until the 1920s that they produced their first Estate Bottled Riesling.

Germany has the strictest wine laws in the world. Theses laws are very specific with regard to what you can call the wine, where the grapes are grown and how the wine is made. In our case the wine must have a narrow range of alcohol levels and sweetness.

There are three tiers of quality. The top tier is Qualitatswein mit Pratikat. Our selection falls into that designation. There are several styles of wine in this section all having to do with sugar levels. Kabinet is the first level and is the driest, though not completely. Next comes Spatelese, which means “late picked” and is sweeter and then Auslese, which is “very late picked” and sweeter still.

The next two are very sweet and considered dessert wines. Auslese is in the middle and is either served with very rich foods like lobster or foie gras as well as after dinner with cheeses, cookies, or pastries.

98

PALATE

Peach, Cinnamon

FINISH

Very Long

PAIRING

Asian, Spicy, Light Dessert

CELLAR

Now thru 2025

ID: S0922W2

Reorder Price: $16.00

TASTING

Win e :

Color : _______________________________

Tasting Comments :

Date:

Overall Rating : (1-100)

Look what people are saying about the Original Wine of the Month Club...

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

– Rudolph

Great Christmas gift

Great Christmas gift. Second year that we gave as a present. Very pleased with delivery and service. –

Michael

A great gift for a wine enthusiast

I give the wine of the month to my wife and she is more than happy with the wines that arrive each month. Any time that we have a special need, such are re-arranging the delivery schedule, the customer service team at WoMC is so accommodating. Thanks for the great products and service. – John C

This is the first and still best wine… This is the first and still best wine club in existence. Paul comes up with such great deals every week and you can't beat his prices. Whether you're a $50.00 person or a $4.99 person, Paul is your guy. And don't skip his recipes each month. The man is a chef too. Been with them for years, never will I change! – David

Thoroughly enjoy the club

I have been a wine club member for a lot of years and am very happy with my membership. Yes, there are times when I have not been happy with a selection I was sent, but if I was unhappy enough to call, I was given a replacement of my choice. Never have they refused to replace the unacceptable bottle. –

Sara