July 2009

Dear Member,

Hola!

I'm practicing my Spanish. July and I are going to Madrid over Thanksgiving and from what I've heard and what I've tasted, there is much fine wine to be enjoyed in Spain. We also enjoy wines from the Spanish speaking part of South America. Accordingly, all of our red wines this month are from either South America or Spain. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Our white wines are more geographically diverse....you can't get much farther apart than France, Australia and South Africa. And they're all delicious and sure to please.

For those of you who also get our Connoisseur's wines, we've made a small change this year. Instead of shipping a white meritage or Sauvignon Blanc in August, we have decided to use Chardonnay as our selection again. We've received a number of comments from our readers this is the way to go. And as always, if you have a comment or suggestion; if you wish to order additional quantities of wine; if you want to change your address or credit card; if you want to increase your shipment to a full case or specify only red wine or only white wine; if you want to recommend a friend for membership; if you just want to say hello....give us a call at 800-749-9463 or send a fax to 239-591-2840. If you are more computer savvy, send an email to wine-concepts@comcast.net, or visit our website www.wine-conceptsinc.com. No matter the message, no matter the medium, we'd like to hear from you.

And now to the wines!

2008 Colores del Sol Malbec Argentina

Malbec originates from France, but it is Argentina where the grape truly thrives. While it is used primarily as a blending grape in Bordeaux, it has developed into a premium stand-alone varietal in Argentina. Malbec is particularly successful in Mendoza, a region of high-elevation plains at the foot of the Andes mountains. This region is full of dense, old-vine vineyards which benefit from the region's unique climate, and which are irrigated by pure water provided by melted snow from the Andes Mountains. The grapes enjoy consistently bright, warm days, while being chilled by the mountain air in the evenings. This diurnal variation translates into greater complexity of flavor and aroma in the finished wine.

Colores del Sol is a new wine which delivers a higher level of Argentine Malbec. It is sourced exclusively from the Lujan de Cuyo vineyard district within Mendoza, South America's most prestigious wine-growing region. The vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo are among the highest, driest, and sunniest in the world, at elevations reaching 3,500 feet. The grapes bask in bright, pure sunlight, inspiring the wine's name: in English, 'Colors of the Sun'. The 2008 Colores del Sol Malbec Reserva is absolutely stunning in the glass with its deep dark garnet color, followed by enormous aromas of cherries, blackberry, currant and tea, with a finish of smoke, spice and caramel, that is full-bodied with ample tannins. Wine & Spirits' Patricio Tapia calls it the "Year's Best Argentine Malbec." This wonderful red wine would pair well with grilled red meats, rich pasta and strong cheeses.

2007 Solnia Rioja Spain

I bet you didn't know that Rioja is now one of the five best-known and most prestigious wine-producing regions of the world. I found that fact on the Rioja website but I assume it to be true. Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to obtain DO status in 1925. In 1991, it was promoted to DOCa (Qualified Designation of Origin), a higher category reserved for wines maintaining a proven consistency and quality over a long period of time. Rioja DOCa is known primarily for its reds though it also makes some whites and roses. Most bodegas still use their own formulas for blending red wines with at least three grapes, the most important of which is Tempranillo, the noblest of the native Spanish vines. This grape gives the wines their elegance, concentration of aromas and complexity of flavors. It is this, as well as oak ageing, which gives the wines such personality and individuality.

The grapes for the 2007 Solnia are 100% Tempranillo. They come form vineyards that are 40 years old, on average, planted on chalky soils located at 450 m (1,475 ft) above sea level. The grapes are hand-harvested into small baskets to prevent bruising. The bunches are brought to triage tables for selection of only the healthiest, ripest grapes. By dint of this process, Solnia perfectly captures the delicious flavors and alluring aromas of fully matured old vine Tempranillo. Dark ruby-colored, this straightforward wine offers up aromas of spice box and blackberry. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with good flavors and a long plush, balanced finish. There's enough structure to last for three years or more.

2007 Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon Argentina

In 1997, the Claro Group from Chile decided to expand its wine business into Argentina to continue the group's tradition of producing world-class wines. The conditions in Argentina's Mendoza region contained the ideal and unique terroir which allow winemakers to fulfill their dreams of creating sophisticated and immaculately structured wines. in 1999, Doña Paula had its maiden harvest. It produced phenomenal and hugely promising results. However, due to the occasionally capricious nature of agriculture, disaster struck in the form of hail storms in 2000 and 2001, which inhibited wine production for those two years. Thus, the commercial release of Doña Paula wines into the export market had to be delayed until the following year. After the unfortunate incidents in 2000  and 2001, Doña Paula has invested heavily in hail-proof nets. Doña Paula soon developed a trademark style that consisted of a powerful complexity which was characterized by a unique fresh fruit concentration. Connoisseurs, importers and the press throughout Europe and the Americas were astounded by the distinctive savour of this wine, which ultimately led to Doña Paula receiving its first prestigious international accolade of "Value Brand of the Year" by Wine and Spirits magazine in 2004.

Named Los Cardos for the thistle plant, which apparently thrives in the vineyards at Doña Paula, this Cabernet Sauvignon shows the classical aromas and flavors of black currant. The focus of the winemaking regimen is the juicy black fruit with only a small portion of the wine having spent a couple of months in oak. The result is an easy-drinking wine that calls for a prime rib but that's priced to enjoy with a burger. The nose contains concentrated black cherries, tobacco leaves, cassis and licorice, with cloves and mint in the background. A young medium-bodies wine, the palate consists of lively fresh cherry and spice notes, leading to a long-lived finish with soft tannins.

2007 ShooFly Buzz Cut White Blend Australia

It takes a lot to get an Australian hot under the collar! Even a billion flies don't seem to bother him - a casual flick of the wrist, the 'Aussie Salute' is enough to deal with the fly's infernal buzzing. Although when it comes to winemaking, they're not so relaxed. No time to sweat the small stuff, but the big stuff, like the challenge of making great Australian wines with some oomph and stuffing, the sort you can happily tuck into with your midweek meal or take along to the fancy weekend dinner party, that's something worthy of a little time and effort.

The team at Shoofly is led by one of Australia's finest - Ben Riggs. He is a native of McLaren Vale and has been crafting some of the region's top wines for two decades. Ben knows his stuff and where to get it - his roster of grape growers is one of the most sought after contact lists in the country. Ben hand selects specific vineyard sites which are rich in character and demonstrate true varietal pedigree. Shoofly wines show Australia at its best and are bottled under screwcap for peace of mind. And he knows what it takes to make a wine that will drink well to the last drop, as you will soon find out with your first glass of the 2007 Buzz Cut. A lush blend of juicy, tropical Verdelho and exotically perfumed Viognier combine with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling to create a refreshing, firmly structured wine. Rich and vibrant flavors of tropical fruit, apricot, and grapefruit work wonders on the palate. Buzz Cut excels when paired with coconut shrimp, chili-citrus pork with sauteed pears, or pancetta-wrapped scallops. Drink now or hide in the cellar for 3 years.

2008 Domaine La Petite Cassagne Rose France

Close your eyes and think of yourself sunning on a Super-yacht bobbing in the harbor at St Tropez on the French Riviera. Look over at your wine glass and what do you see.....not a Red, not a White, but a Rosé, glistening in its glass with a pretty cranberry or light fruit punch color. I bet the taste of White Zinfandel would never enter your mind. We recently went to a luncheon at Capital Grill hosted by Sacha Lichine who had recently been featured in an article in Wine Spectator. He poured for us one of his Rosés which sells for $105 a bottle....he shared that he had sold out of his last vintage of 2000 cases, mainly to those Riviera yacht owners of your dream. Rosé's are in! Cool and refreshing, a little bit tart, these are the perfect wines for our Florida summer.

Domaine de la Petite Cassagne is located four kilometers from the village of St Gilles on south/south -eastern exposed slopes of the Costieres de Nimes. Diane de Puymorin is the dynamic young owner of this super property, which she purchased in 1998. She uses only organic farming methods and believes in strictly limiting yields. Domaine de la Petite Cassagne Rose is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. The aromas are a bit subdued, with red berries and some white pepper. In the mouth the wine is silky and tastes like a mixed berry pie, with acidity emerging in the middle and lasting through the short aftertaste. There is also a slight lemony undertone. It fits the bill with paella and spiced shellfish stews.

2007 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay South Africa

Fleur du Cap - one of  South Africa's premier and best-known wines - is one of the flagships of the Distell group, the country's top producer and marketer of fine wines and spirits. Inspired by nature, Fleur du Cap is a collection of premium wines crafted in a style determined by the grapes themselves, allowing the full expression of the vine. The first Fleur du Cap vintages were released in 1968 shortly after the completion of The Bergkelder, one of the most advanced underground cellars in the southern hemisphere built into the hillside of the Papegaaiberg. In 1979, it took the lead by introducing maturation of quality wine in small casks of new French oak and in 1998 The Bergkelder launched the reserve range of Fleur du Cap Unfiltered wines, known for its superior quality. Handpicked in the vineyard and handcrafted in the cellar to unlock the natural style inherent in the wine, these new generation wines capture and reflect the unbridled expression of the grape.

The 2007 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay displays beautiful toast aromas on the nose with hints of apricot, melon and citrus fruit. It is dry with a well balanced weight and fullness that demands attention. A zesty palate packed with apricot and citrus fruit flavor is supported by lovely nut, butterscotch and vanilla oak. The flavor gains intensity in the mouth with fascinating long finish. It will mature well over the next 2 to 4 years. An ideal accompaniment to sushi, oysters and full-flavored fish such as tuna and salmon, this wine is also excellent with pasta or white meat dishes in rich, creamy sauces.