Agrelo (Mendoza) |
Uco Valley (Mendoza) |
Adelaide Hills |
McLaren Vale |
Calistoga (Napa Valley) |
Aconcagua Valley |
Maipo Valley |
Burgundy |
Burgundy |
Champagne |
Languedoc |
Loire Valley |
Rhone Valley |
Bordeaux |
Bordeaux |
Margaux |
Pomerol |
Pomerol |
Pomerol |
Pomerol |
Saint-Émilion |
Saint-Estèphe |
Tokaj |
Friuli |
Piedmont |
Tuscany |
Tuscany |
Tuscany |
Marlborough |
Douro |
Douro |
Multiple Regions |
Priorat |
25 VINTUS producers will make their way across the country this April, going from Miami on April 16th and then to New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco. Click on the images below to download the invites! Participants are listed on the back (second) page of each invite.
Miami: Monday, April 16, 2012
New York City: Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Boston: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Chicago: Thursday, April 19, 2012
San Francisco: Friday, April 20, 2012
Matt Crafton, from the winemaking team at Montelena, was with our Mid-Atlantic Manager Jesse Lubell yesterday tasting with some accounts at lunch, and a most generous collector showed up and regaled everyone with a number of Montelena’s Estate Cabernets from the 1970s and 1980s and a Zinfandel from 1979! According to Jesse the wines were “smokin’ good”!
This 1979 Zinfandel tasting coincides with our release of the 2009 vintage of the Estate Zinfandel. For more information on the 2009 Estate Zin click here, and see the picture with these great old Montelena treasures below.
George Miliotes, Master Sommelier and buyer for Capital Grille and Seasons 52 is profiled in Forbes, and among other questions is asked about his wine choices by season. Below is the excerpt of his response, in which he describes how he’s fallen back in love with California Chardonnay as it has become less oaky. First winery mentioned: Chateau Montelena.
Full article here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2012/02/22/real-men-drink-sweet-wine/2/
What’s your everyday wine? Can you break this down by season for me?
Winter brings me squarely to California Cabernet and Chardonnay. I think when enjoying American beef there is no other wine to pair than a Napa Cabernet, which I have way too many favorites to mention by name. And as the wheel has turned to less oaky styles, I have fallen back in love with Chardonnay. Makers like Chateau Montelena, Saddleback Cellars, Markham and Shafer all make great Chardonnay.
Xavier and Marc Milhade jump for joy! Chateau Boutisse 2009 is now available! Following is the review from the Wine Advocate published last week:
“A sleeper of the vintage, this is possibly the best wine I have tasted from Boutisse. Coming from a vineyard near Fleur Cardinale, the wine displays beautiful raspberry and black cherry fruit as well as hints of roasted herbs, charcoal and barbecue smoke. Deep, fleshy and very attractive, with low acidity and heady fruit, this wine should drink well for 10-15 years.” 89 Points Robert Parker
For the third year in a row, Viñedo Chadwick is the single highest rated Chilean wine in the Wine Advocate, with a huge 96 Point review for the 2008 vintage. It’s hard to argue against Chadwick being the most highly regarded Chilean in the US press the last three years, we’ve done a little summary below.
Viñedo Chadwick 2008
Wine Advocate #199, 2/2012
96 Points: #1 Wine (with 1 other) and #1 Cabernet
“The 2008 Viñedo Chadwick is made up of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot. It offers up a sexy perfume of exotic spices, sandalwood, incense, rose petal, black currant, and blackberry. This sets the stage for a structured, concentrated, impeccably balanced wine that deftly combines elegance and power. It mandates 5-6 years of additional cellaring and will deliver prime drinking from 2016 to 2028+.”
International Wine Cellar #156, May & Jun/2011
93 Points: #2 Wine and #1 Cabernet (tie w/ Don Max 2008)
Viñedo Chadwick 2007
Wine Advocate #192, 12/2010
97 Points: #1 Wine and #1 Cabernet
Wine Spectator Calendar Year 2010
93 Points: #1 Wine (tied with 3 others)
International Wine Cellar #149, Mar & Apr/2010
93 Points: #1 Wine and #1 Cabernet (Don Max 2007 w/7 others for #2 rating)
Viñedo Chadwick 2006
Wine Advocate #183, 6/2009
97 Points: #1 Wine and #1 Cabernet
Wine Spectator Calendar Year 2009
93 Points: #2 Rating (with 2 others)
International Wine Cellar #143, Mar & Apr/2009
92 Points: #2 Rating (with 8 others)
Errazuriz also received a number of other outstanding scores in the Wine Advocate, which as a summary of Errazuriz stated: “Errazuriz, under the direction of Eduardo Chadwick, turns out a bevy of wines of exceptional value and quality.”
Syrah Single Vineyard 2009 - 90 Points
Chardonnay Wild Ferment 2009 - 91 Points: #1 White (with 8 others)
Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest 2008 - 90 Points
Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2010 - 88 Points
Chardonnay Estate 2010 - 88 Points
Sauvignon Blanc Estate 2010 - 88 Points
Two days ago, the Washington Post published a big article on port cocktails by Jason Wilson, one of the most important spirits writers in the country. Quinta do Noval was the centerpiece of the article, with extensive quotes by sales director Aymeric de Gironde. Noval Black was named as one of Jason’s two favorite ports for cocktails, and he also mentions Noval’s work with mixologist Jim Meehan of PDT, the creator of the Noval Noval Cup. “We plan to be even more aggressive in the future with Noval Black in cocktails,” de Gironde said to Wilson. Wilson shares a recipe for the Philadelphia Scotchman (recipe below), that showcases ports versatility.
3/4 ounce apple brandy
3/4 ounce of port [best to use Noval BLACK]
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
1 ounce chilled ginger beer
Pour brandy, BLACK, and orange juice over ice
Stir, then top with chilled ginger beer.
To read the full article click here.
