M SIGNATURE SERIES

EXCLUSIVELY BOTTLED FOR MCCONNELL GOLF

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

Knollwood Vineyards: Right Bank Red Blend

The Corley family operates some of the finest vineyards in the world, with wine production of singular distinction. The 80acre Monticello Vineyards Estate in Napa Valley, California, includes five vineyards, a winery and tasting room as well as culinary and hospitality facilities. It has been a destination for oenophiles from around the world since the 1980s. The Estate and Knollwood Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District is planted with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah varietals.

Masterfully crafted by renowned winemaker Chris Corley, the 2018 blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon was exclusively bottled for McConnell Golf. The grape varietals were hand-picked, then destemmed and berry-sorted on the crush pad. The wine was aged in new 1/3 French oak barrels for 26 months. The primary blend was assembled at 12 months, with secondary blending at 18 months and final blend-strokes at 26 months. This blend has dark, luscious aromas and flavors of blackberry, anise with undercurrents of lightly toasted oak and hints of vanilla. There is a hint of pepper, and nice waves of ripe dark berry fruit on the palate.

Chris Corley, Knollwood Vineyards

Juslyn Vineyards: Pinot Grigio

Juslyn Vineyards, owned by Perry and Carolyn Butler, is located in the prestigious Spring Mountain District AVA, one of the most highly regarded mountain appellations in Napa Valley. The British ex-pats arrived in California in the 1980s to launch a high-tech company in the San Francisco Bay area. After routine 80-hour work weeks, the couple relaxed during weekend trips to Napa Valley, where they were bitten by the wine bug. Dreams of hightech dominance soon turned into thoughts of returning to the land and producing the best wines possible. In 1997, their dream became a reality when Perry and

Knollwood Vineyards

Cristie Kerr, Kerr Cellars

Perry Butler, Juslyn Vineyards Carolyn sold their computer business and founded Juslyn Vineyards on a site overlooking the renowned Spring Mountain Winery.

The 2019 Juslyn Small Lot Pinot Grigio is 100% Pinot Grigio and 100% Mendocino County grown. This wine is sourced from one of the most famous vineyards in the Anderson Valley. A wine offering enticing pear and floral aromas leads to rich peach and lively tropical fruit flavors. It pairs nicely with seafood, light pasta and various cheeses, and it is perfect to enjoy while sitting around the pool on a warm summer’s day.

Kerr Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Cristie Kerr began playing golf at the age of 9. Establishing herself as a prodigy, Kerr was the topranked player in Florida, playing on the men’s team, from the same tees. She also had one of the most successful amateur careers in the history of the sport. Kerr joined the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour in 1997. Since her maiden victory in 2002, Kerr has been one of the top players in the game with more than 170 top-10 finishes, 20 victories and career earnings over $19 million.

In 2012, Kerr launched Kerr Cellars, a limited production fine wine collection with award-winning winemaker Helen Keplinger. The Reserve, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines were received with rave reviews and scores in the 90s, with the 2013 Reserve receiving 98 points on its initial vintage. Wine Spectator named Kerr Vineyards a “Winery to Watch” in 2016.

At Kerr Cellars, a meticulous attention to detail in winemaking is their labor of love. Their small batch wines are produced from the finest and most exclusive vineyards, and each vintage is expertly handcrafted.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is garnet purple in color with an explosive nose of satsuma plum, graphite and melted Valrhona cocoa. The palate is drenching and structured with luscious blueberry, musk and coldbrew coffee. This wine is balanced with supple yet chalky tannins and finishes with assertiveness, bright acids and polished oak. It is hand-harvested in the early morning throughout October and aged 12 months in 60% new French oak and 40% 1-year-old French oak; it is a blend of 78% Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Oak Knoll Merlot and 5% Sage Ridge Petit Verdot.