Wine Club Newsletter - August 2021
What Things Cost in the Year 2000
And . . .
Today’s Prices for Some of Our Club Members
By Gary Parker
I want to thank you and the hundreds of people that enjoy one or more of our monthly wine clubs. The staff and I have really enjoyed seeking out the finest and presenting them to you.
Do you know we still have charter members who joined us in 1997 or shortly thereafter? WOW! That’s twenty-four years of wines from all over the world, tasting notes, recipes, and the WOW Newsletter. Thank you very much!
So . . . back in year 2000, the monthly tab for The WineSellar Club was $35.00.
Also in 2000, Gasoline was $1.26 a gallon. Filet Mignon was $7.67 per pound. Average income $40,343 per household. Minimum wage $5.15 per hour. Average selling price for new house was $134,150.
The 2000 Chateau Mouton Rothschild sold for $175 on futures. (Todays 2020 vintage price is $627 a bottle).
The West Wing and Sex and the City were TV hits. Tiger Woods became the youngest player to win all for major golf tournaments. Mission Impossible II at the box office was second most attended movie of 2000. (How the Grinch Stole Christmas was number 1).
Since 1997, I have written 1,584 tasting notes on wines, and supplied nearly 300 recipes along with the same amount of WOW newsletters. I still enjoy the research process of finding special wines for us, and then describing them to you in a tutorial, and hopefully, entertaining fashion.
For you members of The WineSellar Club and The Two-Rouge Club, you may not be keen on the savings you enjoy from our selections every month. For example, the retail value of our August selections for the WineSellar Club is $107.00!!! For the Two Rouge, $71.00!!!
I went back and figured out how much you all are saving on from the retail prices, and I was amazed and proud. The Winesellar Club has paid just 62% of the suggested retail price (a savings of $255 a year), and the Two-Rouge Club has paid 67% of the suggested retail price (a savings of $300).
The Gary Parker Collection members have saved 20% on their hard/impossible to find special selections over the last year as well!
As great as these numbers all look, we have found it increasing difficult to bring the same level of quality to you each month at the prices we have offered you over the last twenty plus years. So we think we can continue to bring you our usual fabulous selections to members of The WineSellar Club with a five dollar increase every month, taking the base price to forty dollars a month.
For the Two-Rouge Club, we will be implementing a range of fifty to sixty dollars a month. It will most likely be fifty dollars for the majority of the months. We just want to have the flexibility to send something special your way when it presents itself to us at a bit higher cost.
The Gary Parker Collection members will not see any price increase, and can expect the same price and quality levels you have enjoyed over the last years.
We will be still offering a free tasting of ALL the monthly wine club wines on the second Wednesday of each month. We have a ball pouring them for you, hearing your comments as well as fielding any questions you may have about the wines.
Our club members will also still enjoy 10% discount on wines in the wine shop (except for highly allocated wines) to further the value we like to give to each one of our members.
And, of course, you will still be enjoying discounts at special wine tasting we have every month, as well as discounted prices to our winemaker dinners held one to two times a month.
Once again, my staff and I want to thank you for making this all possible. We absolutely love serving you now, and hopefully for many years to come.
With Best Wishes . . .
2016 Chardonnay, Dierberg Vineyard, Tantara
Growing Region Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County
Varietal Composition 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation 18 Months on Lees in Neutral Oak
Alcohol Content 14.8%
Suggested Retail $52.00
WineSellar Club Price $30.59
Broad Strokes: 93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
From the Winery: Tantara was the name of a horse owned by Bill Cates some years ago. After Tantara was retired to pasture, she defied predictions of an imminent demise and lived to a ripe old age. Horses symbolize elegance, grace and power and in Tantara's case, long life, all of which are qualities we embrace for our wine.
Created in 1997, Tantara has quietly been producing world class wines primarily from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Tantara wines can be found in the very best restaurants throughout the U.S. (Very few retail wine shops are able to access these killer wines).
Appearance:
It’s a nice-looking package overall, as are all the Tantara wines. The 2016 Chardonnay has a bit of a golden color to it with some silver hues. It may have perhaps turned a little darker with the five years of age on it, but it still looks great.
Nose:
The nose has some beautiful vanilla oak to it, with underlying notes of pure Chardonnay fruit. There are some nice baking spices to it as well as roasted nuts. Also, check out the really cool notes of mandarin orange, ginger flower and nutmeg.
Texture:
The texture is rich and fruit forward without being sloppy or over blown. It’s long in the palate and really has quite an agreeable mouth feel. There is no biting acid, but there is a firmness to it that keeps it ready for food, and easy to drink.
Flavors:
Really excellent forward Chardonnay fruit on the palate, followed by a nice mandarin orange citric crispiness. It keeps the wine firm, especially for its age. Notes of vanilla oak, toasted almonds, peanuts, baking spices, (specially the nutmeg) all come through to meld beautifully into this wonderful Chardonnay. Some smokiness, in fact we detected some grilled pineapple over the lightly tropical fruit. Amazing! Reminds me of older Montrachet’s from Burgundy
Serving Suggestions:
Here you have a perfectly aged Chardonnay for drinking the rest of the year. Break out the lobster, fish with lemon and/or cream sauces, or enjoy on its own. VALUE!!!
2016 Lolita Red, Dominion Tantara
Growing Region Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County
Varietal Composition 36% Cabernet Franc, 32% Carmenere, 21% Petit Verdot, 11% Syrah
Fermentation 28 Months, 60% New French & American Oak
Alcohol Content 15.8%
Suggested Retail $55.00
WineSellar Club Price $39.99
Broad Strokes: 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast
From the Winery: Tantara was the name of a horse owned by Bill Cates some years ago. After Tantara was retired to pasture, she defied predictions of an imminent demise and lived to a ripe old age. Horses symbolize elegance, grace and power and in Tantara's case, long life, all of which are qualities we embrace for our wine.
Created in 1997, Tantara has quietly been producing world class wines primarily from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. Tantara wines can be found in the very best restaurants throughout the U.S. (Very few retail wine shops are able to access these killer wines).
Appearance:
It’s a nice-looking package overall, as are all the Tantara wines. Black at the core showing some signs of aging on the edge which the red turns to a slight tint of brown. It’s kind of a quiet label and packaging, all be it in heavy bottle. Looks like quality . . .
Nose:
Smoky and dark chocolate and charcoal fragrance hovers over the rhubarb, red raspberry, and black cherry fruit. Wild grass, crushed herbs, wood bark and perhaps chocolate chip cookies. Boysenberry and balsamic, totally delightful.
Texture:
There’s a large impression in your mouth on this wine, and yes, it holds itself well intact. You can’t really feel the high alcohol content in the palate, but yeah, you can definitely sense the richness and its power. Long-long-long-lasting impression on the finish.
Flavors:
I know this is counterintuitive, but I can’t get chocolate chip cookies out of my mind as I taste this wine. And then boysenberry jam, it’s like my childhood coming back in the form of our favorite adult beverage. Wood bark, balsamic, maybe a hint of rhubarb as well. What a delight!
Serving Suggestions:
This wine can be cellared for years to come, or enjoyed these days with summer BBQ, roasted meats, and pasta dishes.
2019 Marco Porello, Nebbiolo, Langhe
Growing Region Langhe DOC, Italy
Varietal Composition 100% Nebbiolo
Fermentation 12 Months in Oak Casks
Alcohol Content 14.0%
Suggested Retail $23.00
WineSellar Club Price $18.89
Broad Strokes:
From the Winery: Porello’s inception reaches back to the 1930’s, when Roero was not yet known for its great oenological successes in Arneis production. During this time, Cesare Porello transformed his small property into a proper establishment dedicated to the production of wine in addition to peaches, a fruit for which the area of Canale was then famous.
From 1994 until today, the company has been run by Marco, Cesare’s grandson and expert oenologist. Educated first at the Alba oenological school and then in the field both in the Bordeaux region of France as well as in Chianti Classico, Marco brings to the winery his institutional knowledge as well as an extended vision of the marriage of tradition and innovation in his winemaking.
Appearance:
A distinctive looking package, I like the brown and red coloring of the bottle and seal. The font is easy to read, yay! The wine looks medium light on color, with a garnet/ruby affect, and you can see through it at the center.
Nose:
The wine has a gentle side to it, all the while it is assertive as well. Sneaky! The nose seems delicate, but you get these eye-opening whiffs of fresh strawberry, rhubarb, cherries and violets, under toned by earth and spice.
Texture:
Same with the texture . . . feels light/soft, but comes in like a lamb, leaves like a gazelle, as they might say. Meaning it is silky, smooth, rich/light, even, and makes an everlasting presence. Elegant, smooth tannins. Lingers like a good friend.
Flavors:
Feeling really savory, bringing out mouth-watering savory notes of rare roasted beef, with rhubarb, red cherry, strawberries, and a hint of red licorice. The long-lasting flavors are very persistent, and for more within that realm, find elegant notes of earthen soils, and lightly strapped leather.
Serving Suggestions:
This is a wine to enjoy in present day, with any foods Italian!
2016 Jillian’s Blend, Laird Family Estate
Growing Region Napa Valley, California
Varietal Composition 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Syrah, 13% Merlot, 2% malbec, 1% Petit Verdot
Fermentation 21 Months, 69% French, 10% American
Alcohol Content 14.8%
Suggested Retail $48.00
WineSellar Club Price $40.49
Broad Strokes: 92 Points, Wine Spectator
From the Winery: For consulting winemakers Paul Hobbs and Julian Gonzalez, the attraction to help the Laird’s craft their own wines began simply with their family. With Ken having over 40 years in the business, they recognized that he truly understood the ‘ins-and-outs’ of the industry and were able to meet the unique trends and challenges of the wine business. Paul and Julian saw Ken’s determination and knew he was in it for the long run, not simply for hobby’s sake. They also believed the combined vineyard expertise of Justin and Ken was tough to beat. Lastly, there was a shared vision and goal to produce great, estate wines.
Appearance:
The familiar Laird Family Estate label on the tall bottle with “Jillian’s Blend” at the bottom denoting the designation. The wine is almost black in color nearly all the way through with mature looking crimson on the edges.
Nose:
The aromatic features consist of lovely smoke, deep penetrating oak and dark fruit essence. The complexities from the multi-varietal content kept me quite interested, and I found my nose dipping in quite often. Vanilla, cumin, cinnamon and skin of cherry
Texture:
It’s kind of a bang-up texture, in that they let the flavors come through as priority, and dealt with how the wine feels in the palate as a secondary. However, it feels great in the mouth with a creamy texture lacing the firm tannins. It has a long, lovely finish.
Flavors:
The flavor palate brings us a great deal of enjoyment to our personal palates. Even though the Syrah is only 20% of the blend, the smokiness in the body of it is well pronounced. I love that the blend of the wine is really cool, very well conceived. Dark berry fruit, vanilla brown butter, notes of black pepper.
Serving Suggestions:
So here’s the one that’s 5-6 years old, and uniquely, showing signs of age and youth at the same time. It will cellar for another 10 to 15 years. I’d put this away for another 5 to 10 years, and start drinking a bottle or two every year after that.
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Laird Family Estate
Growing Region Yountville, Napa Valley, California
Varietal Composition 100% Cabernet Sauvignon,
Fermentation 21 Months French Oak, 40% New
Alcohol Content 14.8%
Suggested Retail $60.00
WineSellar Club Price $54.99
Broad Strokes: 93 Points, James Suckling
From the Winery: For consulting winemakers Paul Hobbs and Julian Gonzalez, the attraction to help the Laird’s craft their own wines began simply with their family. With Ken having over 40 years in the business, they recognized that he truly understood the ‘ins-and-outs’ of the industry and were able to meet the unique trends and challenges of the wine business. Paul and Julian saw Ken’s determination and knew he was in it for the long run, not simply for hobby’s sake. They also believed the combined vineyard expertise of Justin and Ken was tough to beat. Lastly, there was a shared vision and goal to produce great, estate wines.
Appearance:
The familiar Laird Family Estate label on the tall bottle is distinctive and attractive. Trouble is you can’t get two bottles in a two bottle deep wine bin, so it takes up a bit more space in the cellar. The wine is almost black in color nearly all the way through, with mature looking crimson on the edges.
Nose:
The winery calls out “aromas of cherry preserves, crème brulee, and vanilla extract.” I totally agree with that call, adding a touch of mint, eucalyptus and balsamic. Solid notes of distinguished wood/oak, with spices and black pepper.
Texture:
Texture is totally appropriate for a younger Cabernet: it’s right where it should be. Offering glimpses of great dark fruits, and fabulous balance. It leaves a somewhat drying feel on the finish, which give me great promise for its longevity. The silky and velvety feel truly reminds me of a top-notch Bordeaux.
Flavors:
This reminds me of a slowly warmed cherry fruit. Not stewed not grilled, just cherries that are summertime ripe, just lightly cooked in butter and vanilla. Black pepper, excellent wood notes of vanilla, smoke, with a touch of rosemary and sage. As the wine continued to open, we got mineral and stones, and a bit of saline.
Serving Suggestions:
This will cellar for another 15 to 25 years. I’d put this away for another 10 years, and then start drinking a bottle or two every year after that. Provided you buy enough!
NV Champagne André Clouet, Grand Cru Brut Rose, Bouzy, Champagne, France
Growing Region: Grand Cru Village of Bouzy
Varietal Composition (Cepage) : 100% Pinot Noir
Vinification (From the winery): Methode Champenoise
Dosage: 7 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Suggested Retail: $55.00
WineSellar Club Price: $47.69
“This is a beauty of dizzying complexity and depth….” – Ian Cauble, Master Sommelier
From the Winery:
The Clouet family were the official printers to Louis XV’s Royal Court, and attention to filagreed printing is still evident in the work of the current generation. Jean -Francois is a bit of a showman and takes great pride in his family’s lineage. He lives in the house his ancestors built in 1741 with the wines cellared below. The Domaine is compromised of 20 acres of Grand Cru vineyards in the middle slopes of the villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy.
Appearance:
Concentrated strawberry pink in color
Nose:
Strawberry, orange peel, brioche dough, a hint of rose petals and crushed chalk
Texture:
Tiny, delicate, very fine beading
Flavors:
Balanced, full bodied and exuberant, showcasing that is all Pinot Noir fruit with notes of strawberries, tart cherries, raspberries and a creamy finish.
Serving Suggestions:
“This is a complex, savory Rosé Champagne and a favorite of mine. It is a Champagne that proves Champagne does go with everything! It’s gorgeous with game. Pair with seared duck breast with a raspberry sauce!” – Bridget West, Champagne Master, Certified Sommelier
NV Chateau de Brézé Brut Rose, Cremant de Loire, Loire Valley, France
Growing Region: Loire Valley, France
Varietal Composition (Cepage) : 100% Cabernet Franc
Vinification (From the winery): Methode Champenoise, held for one year before release
Dosage: 5 g/l
Alcohol Content: 12%
Suggested Retail: $24.00
WineSellar Club Price: $20.69
From the Winery:
The regal Chateau de Breze is just miles outside of Samur and is one of Loire Valley’s best terroirs. This unique site has relatively high elevation and a significant presence of tuffeau
( porous chalky, limestone ). Another unique fact is that Chateau De Brézé is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This cremant is also certified organic.
Appearance:
Shimmering rose gold
Nose:
Cherry blossoms, Meyer lemons, and raspberries
Texture:
Persistent, yet gentle
Flavors:
Bright, berry red fruit; raspberries, cherries, blood oranges, and hibiscus tea
Serving Suggestions:
This Cremant is beautiful for a hot summer afternoon but also pairs beautifully with pasta… pair with fettuccine tossed with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic and Parmesan!
20 Minute Honey-Garlic Shrimp
This is really a quick, simple, healthy and delicious recipe that I have enjoyed preparing when I get home a little late for dinner. It is versatile wine-wise, sporting full bodied white wines to rustic reds for pairing.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup of honey
- ¼ cup of soy sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 pound of uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Chopped green onion
- Optional: Red pepper flakes to taste.
Method:
-
Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger together in a medium bowl. You will use half for the marinade in step 2 and half for cooking the shrimp in step 3.
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Place shrimp in a large sealable container or zipped-top bag. Pour 1/2 of the marinade/sauce mixture on top, give it all a shake or stir, then allow shrimp to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or for up to 8-12 hours. Cover and refrigerate the rest of the marinade for step 3. (Time-saving tip: while the shrimp is marinating, I usually steam broccoli and microwave some quick brown rice.)
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place shrimp in the skillet. (Discard used marinade.) Cook shrimp on one side until pink, about 45 seconds, then flip shrimp over. Pour in remaining marinade/sauce and cook it all until shrimp is cooked through, about 1-2 more minutes.
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Serve shrimp with cooked marinade sauce and a garnish of green onion. The sauce is excellent on brown rice and steamed vegetables on the side.