THE TWELVE PICKS! SUMMER 2008

Purchase THE TWELVE PICKS! SUMMER 2008

Notes on the The Twelve Picks! Summer 2008 : NVWE NOTES: Our spring quarterly assortment of a dozen wines, carefully chosen for our customers and club members. A unique mix of a dozen bottles (usually six red and six white), selected based on quality, exclusivity and value. Guaranteed greatness! This box can be purchased on its own for $272.11 (plus S/H), or for maximum convenience, join our Twelve Picks wine club and receive a selected box of wine automatically every three months. There is no charge to join, and membership can be canceled at any time. Members also receive a 15% discount on all reordered wines from their mix. (The Twelve Picks' price does not include shipping.) Join here online, or by calling: 800-653-9463.

2005 Ridge Vineyards Estate  Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
Santa Cruz Mountains
This is a Bordeaux-esque blend with complex aromas of blackberry, Cassis, smoke, black tea, leather, sandalwood and forest earth. It has a racy/gutsy feel and loads of blackberry, blueberry, violet and dark forest earth flavors. The finish is gently tannic, with lingering flavors of blackberry and plum. Satisfying and delicious with sauced meats or stews, it should get considerably better for 2-4 more years. A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauviignon and 42% Merlot. 3470 cases produced.

2006 Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles  Margarita Vineyard
The aromas of this beauty are fruit-forward and decidedly Napa-esque, as bright red currant, sweet red plum and red rose rise above elegant vanilla and baking spice scents. Things are sleek, polished and soft-edged on the palate, with lingering flavors of red cherry, red plum, red licorice, minerals and sweet vanilla. Flavorful and supple to the end, its quiet zest will make it a match for a multitude of foods. 1,000 cases produced.

2006 Pelerin Pinot Noir, St. Vincent
Santa Lucia Highlands
The nose of this Pinot offers attractive mineral-floral-fruit contrasts of red cherry, red plum, smoke, dried red rose, dried orange peel and iron ore. Brighter and juicier than expected on the palate, its dried Michigan cherry, red licorice and red plum notes cast a sweet spell over its savory undercurrents. Long and structured, but smooth, it is a fine match to flavorful meats, and it will improve for another 12 to 18 months. 900 cases produced.

2006 Sandler Syrah, Connell Vineyard
Sonoma  Bennet Valley
Aromatic and rather floral-spicy, this Syrah offers sumac and white pepper to contrast strawberry, dried cherry, red raspberry syrup, mocha and caramel scents. It is ripe and slightly heady on the palate, with white pepper, sumac, salted plum, caramel, bouillon, toffee and tobacco infused with the cherry and raspberry fruit. Rich, lingering and decidedly savory, it will be best to match this one to rich lamb or beef roasts or Mediterranean-style stews. 95 cases produced.

2006 Barrel 27 Grenache, Rock & a Hard Place
Central Coast
The nose of this aromatic and delicious wine offers rich, quietly zesty scents of sweet dark plums, roasted meat, pomegranate syrup, allspice, white pepper and a hint of toffee in an engaging and rich display. It is both leaner and firmer on the palate, with flavors of red berries, smoked meat, powdered sumac, allspice, peppercorn and plum that are dry, lingering and just a trace heady. It will be perfect for roast lamb. 200 cases produced.

2006 Hobo Wine Company Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
This is a Zin built for dinner service. The nose offers a pretty and attractively ripe, but balanced, mix of sweet plums, red berries, black and white peppercorns, smoke and earth. It is supple and quietly rich on the palate, with cracked pepper, plum and red licorice the lingering flavor themes. Ready to drink, it will be just the thing for pork roast, barbecued ribs or a pizza with plenty of goodies. 400 cases produced.

2006 Tamber Bey Chardonnay  Two Rivers Vineyard
Napa Valley  Yountville
This is a wonderfully stylish and complete Chardonnay, that offers genteel but pristinely focused scents of white peach, pear, apple and lemon custard, with hints of toasted nuts and vanilla in the background. It is fuller on the palate, if just as elegantly balanced and quitely zesty. The finish is silky and delivers delightfully satisfying flavors of tarte tatin, pear, toasted nuts and roasted grain. This one deserves the more elegant, sauced entrees. 575 cases produced.

2007 Luli Chardonnay
Santa Lucia Highlands
This is a Chardonnay of vivid refreshment and lovely fruit, with aromas of fresh pears and apples, preserved lemon and a bit of clove, over a firm mineral core. It proves fuller than expected in the mouth, as dry peach and apple push forth to contrast the mineral undercurrents and flesh-out the texture and finish. A refreshing sipper and satisfying companion to grilled foods, it has the sophistication to handle cream-sauced entrees. 3,000 cases produced.

2007 Manifesto Sauvignon Blanc
Suisun Valley
This is a bright and perky Sauvignon Blanc and a very fine value, with focused aromas of key lime, citron, gooseberry and honeydew melon. As expected, it is zesty and forthcoming on the palate, with lots of soft-edged melon, gooseberry and kiwi. The finish is dry, sleek in texture, refreshing and balanced. A classic picnic wine, it will be great with grilled foods, especially seafood. 15,583 cases produced.

2007 Cambiata Winery Albarino
Monterey
This is a near-perfect Albarino, with freshness, depth intensity and balance. It has scents of fresh apples and pears, lemon drops and key limes which soar above harder impressions of nut husks and minerals. It is plush and super forward on the mid-palate, with layers of Bosc pear, preserved lemon, honeydew melon over mineral undercurrents. The finish is stony dry, lingering and substantial, making it a brilliant food companion. 400 cases produced.

2007 Radog Riesling
Santa Lucia Highlands
This delicious Riesling has bright, perky scents of fresh pears, apples and peaches over honeysuckle, honeydew melon and a hint of jasmine. It is a hint less dry than expected on the palate, but adds mineral hints to its vivid pear, apple and jasmine profile to bring a cutting balance to the lingering fruit. Deliciously refreshing all by itself, it should be terrific with crab salad or one of the milder Thai curries. 2,275 cases produced.

2007 Banyan Gewurztraminer
Monterey
This delicious Gewurztraminer has aromas that are a pretty mix of melon, Lychee fruit, jasmine, yellow rose and lime. It is genteel, sleek and just dry on the palate, with melon, lime, kiwi, Lychee and mineral elements in fine proportion. It finishes a trace off-dry, but some grapefruit notes join the mineral undertones to keep the finish cutting-clean. A super-value, beautifully balanced for food, it should be terrific with Asian curries. 1,034 cases produced.



THE TWELVE PICKS! SUMMER 2008

Purchase THE TWELVE PICKS! SUMMER 2008