WINE
E XC LU S I V E LY B OT T L E D F O R M CCO N N E L L G O L F IN VINO VERITAS… … a Latin phrase that means “in wine, there is truth.” Well, I couldn’t agree more, and similar phrases exist across cultures and languages. Growing up in Europe, I had an early start in the “world of wine.” Throughout my hospitality career, I have been fortunate to taste some of the finest wines from the world’s major viticultural regions. These include the Chateau Margaux 1990, Latour 1990, Chateau La Mission HautBrion 1982, Petrus vintages 1982, 1989 and 1990, the Joseph Phelps Insignia 1990, Dominus 1991 and 1994, Dunn Cabernets from Howell Mountain, the Mondavis, BVs and Berringer Private Reserves, the Penfolds Grange and many more. The few growers/producers who have continuously received five-star ratings are indeed those who make the world’s finest wines. They have been selected because: • They make the greatest wine of their particular viticultural region. • They are remarkably consistent and reliable, even in mediocre and poor vintages. Then, there is the Robert Parker Rating System, a scale from 50 to 100. Any wine that Parker rates above 85 is very good to excellent and any wine that Parker rates 90-plus will be outstanding for its particular type. Parker uses specific standards for wines sold to consumers — standards that full-time wine professionals recognize, and these are benchmark wines
to which others are judged. However, today’s wine-rating systems found on labels are not any different from screening ratings from Amazon, Netflix, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Vudu. It is simply “Corky” and very dangerous. The rating systems are not only for marketing purposes, but also shape consumers’ tastes as to what is to be considered good, excellent and outstanding. Wine has made major contributions to the quality of life in many societies of the world for millennia, and it continues to do so. It has always had its critics, some misinformed, others genuinely concerned. Cut through the noise; experience, keep an open mind and, most of all, enjoy! There is much to be enjoyed and appreciated. If wine and food combinations perplex you, your best strategy may be to learn some of the greatest pairings, as well as some of the worst. Remember that in the final analysis, a good wine served with a good dish to good company is always a good taste — “à votre santé!” McConnell Fine Wine LLC was founded upon the simple principle of introducing single, small vineyards and innovative winemakers to our membership under one private label, presented as the M Signature Series. This private label is only offered through our clubs and
the winemakers are selected for the following reasons: • They produce some of the greatest wines from a particular region. • Their wines are remarkably consistent and reliable. • They are innovative — and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. This year, McConnell Fine Wine introduces exclusively from the following winemakers and vineyards: • Chris Corley, Knollwood Vineyards: Right Bank Red Blend • Juslyn Vineyards: Pinot Grigio • Kerr Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon Our Right Bank Red Blend is nothing short of a perfected blend of MerlotCabFranc-Cab that can only be experienced at Pomerol, Bordeaux. Although nowadays Pomerols are 100% Merlot, Chris Corley remained a traditionalist and it paid off. My notes: Experience this wine with dinner (anything grilled with sautéed vegetables or rosemary roasted baby potatoes). You will be pleasantly surprised just how powerful this creation is with dinner, trust me. In closing, there are many exceptional wines to experience; I mean truly exceptional ones. These resemble experiences such as playing golf at Pine Valley, Cypress Point, St. Andrews or Shinnecock Hills, but there are also many more varietals, blends and crafts that are part of our civilization. I encourage you to be bold and explore the beauty of vino — it is truly rewarding! Christian Anastasiadis Chief Operating Officer, McConnell Golf www.mcconnellgolf.com
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Summer 2021
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