Vol. 7 No. 8
Standard Selection - (1) Red, (1) White
Casa Tamaya Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserve 2001 - Chile
Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - New Zealand
Red Wines Only Featured Selections
Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel 2001 - USA
White Wines Only Featured Selections
Lake Sonoma Winery Russian River Chardonnay 2002 - USA
Casa Tamaya Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserve 2001 - Chile
Casa Tamaya is located in the Limari Valley, nearly two hundred and fifty miles north of Chile's capital of Santiago. While most traditional Chilean estates hail from the wide river valleys to the south of the capital, this exciting new property stands as the vanguard of viticultural excellence in the northern valley of Limari. Begun in 1997 as the independent ventures of two farming companies, Vinedos del Limari and Cerrillos de Tamya, Casa Tamaya was not launched formally until 2001 with the consolidation of both independent enterprises and the subsequent construction of a beautiful new winery, which includes offices, a guesthouse, gardens, and an image to match the recent transformation of the Limari.
Below and beyond the façade of Casa Tamaya, replete with shiny new structures, lie three levels of fine wine and more than a few treasures. Only first rate European varietals are grown here, but so far the glory of this winery appears to be artful blends of reserve bottled wines from the finest of the estate's 240 acres. Casa Tamaya's Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserve leads the oenological pack; undoubtedly, this mouth-filling blend is both unique and enthralling. Other exciting offerings from Casa Tamaya include a knockout Sancerre style Sauvignon Blanc, a tasty Viognier from low yields and a tantalizing Reserve Chardonnay that marries ripe fruit to complex mineral tones, and just think … this is just the beginning for Casa Tamaya. Indeed, Casa Tamaya is one new winery to watch.
Tasting Notes: Smooth, sophisticated, and finely polished, the 2001 Casa Tamaya Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserve is disarmingly charming for a young red wine. Imbued with power and structure as well as plenty of juicy fruit, this deeply colored blend offers a myriad of scents and savors. Merlot (54%) provides this Reserve offering's copious quantity of lush fruit as well as its comely, subtle earth tone. Meanwhile, Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Syrah (23%) supply spice, structure, and understated elegance. And throughout the Casa Tamaya Reserve, blackcurrant, blueberry, and ripe plum aromas and flavors mingle with truffle and cigar box scents that seem ever so lightly infused with a gentle touch of vanilla. Yum! In short, there is a lot going on in this wine, and from start to finish it's all quite good. Enjoy!
Accompaniments: The 2001 Casa Tamaya Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserve is an easy wine to pair with a wide variety of foods. Its sophisticated rather sumptuous nature and myriad of flavors that reflect the varietal triumvirate within make it a natural accompaniment to both red and white meats. In addition, we recommend it with certain traditional Tex-Mex dishes, including the more elegant renderings of burritos, chalupas and quessadillas. However, the 2001 Casa Tamaya Reserve strikes us as the perfect young red wine to pair with a platter of well-selected cheeses. Certainly, an authentic SAFR Port Salut provides a creamy, velvety foil to the Casa Tamaya. The low acidity of the Port Salut marries perfectly with the smooth, but youthful exuberance of the wine, which results in a dangerous case of wine and cheese lovers' ecstasy. Furthermore, just think of all the calcium and good antioxidants you will be consuming in the meantime. To check out some additional cheese offerings to accompany the Casa Tamaya, contact our heavenly selection of international cheeses at www.cheesemonthclub.com Enjoy!
Why Wine is Healthy - Part I
It was not too many years ago in the United States that any form of alcohol consumption was being vilified as patently un-healthy. Many in the medical profession, with sizeable political backing and considerable arm-twisting from various interest groups, had begun equating almost any consumption of alcohol with addiction, sickness, and disease - even as European and independent studies were reaching very different conclusions, especially in regards to moderate wine consumption.
Presently, the evidence garnered from numerous scientific studies and hundreds of clinical trials in the United States reveals some very exciting and potentially life enhancing results. Indeed, the French and their European counterparts were right after all when they steadfastly attributed their longevity to red wine, even in spite of a traditionally high fat diet rich in butter, cheese, cream, foie gras, and nearly everything else that is supposed to clog our arteries and kill us dead at the mere mention of their names. So what is so good about wine? It seems almost everything, at least in moderation.
Much of wine's beneficial effects on humans has in the past two decades correctly centered on antioxidant compounds that help unclog blocked arteries and possess powerful cancer fighting properties. Studies continue to reveal that moderate wine consumption lowers one's risk of cardio-vascular disease, including strokes, by half. As many as twenty-five antioxidant compounds have so far been identified in wine, especially red wine, according to Dr. David Bruce, MD. Apparently, there is no other single beverage, food, or dietary supplement that can claim the same representation of antioxidant compounds as red wine or wine's beneficial effects. Moreover, Dr. Bruce goes on to cite a number of other startling revelations about the benefits of moderate wine consumption, not the least of which is an 83% decrease in endometrial cancer in women who consume approximately two glasses of wine daily.
Part II of "Why Wine is Healthy" will appear in next month's newsletter.
Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - New Zealand
Now here is a winery that consistently fashions high quality wines and has one heck of a story, not to mention more than the usual cast of colorful characters. Founded in 1992 by Ross and Barbara Lawson, a charming and witty couple with a great sense of timing and the uncanny knack of knowing what consumers like, Lawson's Dry Hill was one of the first small boutique wineries in Marlborough to receive international acclaim for it's estate bottled wines. Committed solely to the production of premium Marlborough wines, the Lawson's have distinguished themselves in less than a dozen years as serious producers of tasty, fruit driven wines of true renown.
Add the young, very talented Mike Just to the picture at Lawson's Dry Hills and you have one unbeatable team. Devoted to traditional cool climate varietals: Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and most especially Sauvignon Blanc for which Marlborough is most celebrated, Lawson's winemaker Mike Just knows just what to do. Mike spent a considerable amount of time in Germany studying cool climate viticulture, followed by several years working at top German estates, before returning to his native New Zealand. In Europe Mike acquired a deft hand with cool climate grapes, which he has turned into Lawson's Dry Hills award-winning style with the help of the formidable terroir of Marlborough. While in Europe, Mike also gained an extensive knowledge of medieval armor, culture and music, which he has readily transplanted to New Zealand. In addition to possessing considerable talent as a winemaker, Mike is fun, upbeat, and immensely interesting.
With Mike, Barbara and Ross around, you can be sure there is nary a dull moment at Lawson's Dry Hills, and we haven't even mentioned the winery's most esteemed character - Tomi.
Tomi: A Man's Best Friend and Every Winemaker's Dream
Tomi is Ross Lawson's golden retriever and by all accounts she possess the premier palate at Lawson's Dry Hills estate. Instead of playing in the yard or retrieving prey like most four-year-old golden retrievers, Tomi has a more promising career. She decides when to harvest at Lawson's and what grapes to pick, and when. With one sniff of her supercharged olfactory she can determine the brix (brix is a measure of sugar, most notably in grapes). Intuitively, Tomi knows when the grapes have attained physiological ripeness or at the very least a minimum of 22 brix - essential information to any winemaker even remotely interested in the production of fine wine. Many famous and not so famous wineries pay huge sums of money for technical equipment and consulting oenologists to tell them precisely what Tomi already knows, and does best.
Essentially, Tomi just loves grapes, but only when they are perfectly ripe. At first, Ross Lawson could hardly believe he had a grape dog on his hands, but after extensive testing and verification with expensive equipment, Tomi's uncanny and unfailing talent have been borne out and have now become legendary.
And lest you think we are concocting a ruse or somehow embellishing a story, we can assure you to the contrary. In fact, we are not the first to report Tomi' s oenological prowess. This canny canine already enjoys celebrity status in Marlborough because of her unfailing ability to find and, if permitted, consume copious quantities of only the most perfect grapes. Moreover, her fame is spreading. The editor of the magazine Wine New Zealand has actually dedicated part of the periodical's recent vintage report to Tomi. Without simile or metaphor or some other saccharin slop, Tomi can say all that needs to be said about a vintage with just one appreciative slurp. Now that is our kind of dog! In the future, we may, perhaps, see a whole new breed of dog? And how much you want to bet there will be a long line in Marlborough for one of Tomi's pups?
Tasting Notes: Whether you call it gooseberry, grapefruit, or fresh mown grass, the unmistakable herbal aromas that characterize the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are all alive and well in the 2003 Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Throw in a dollop of ripe melon and a couple of figs along with clean fresh fruit and the wine's herbal cachet and the flavor profile of this wine stands to greet you. On the finish, the Lawson's finishes dry, with a touch of citrus, but without any of the after burn so typical of lesser renditions of this illustrious varietal. We suggest you serve the Lawson's Sauvignon Blanc well chilled (no more than 40º F) on a hot sunny evening. Enjoy!
Accompaniments: By nearly all accounts, summer and seafood were made for Sauvignon Blanc, so what better accompaniment is there to the 2003 Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc than seafood? And in New Zealand, and around the tasting panel's table as well, shellfish in all its abundant glory is the preferred seafood companion to fine Sauvignon Blanc. Steamed green tipped mussels, served in a tasty, herb infused broth, Prince Edward Island oysters, raw or lightly sautéed, a Maryland style lump crab cake, and a good old-fashioned jumbo shrimp cocktail, complete with a mild cocktail sauce, are just some of our favorite selections with the 2003 Lawson's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Black snapper sashimi, a yellow fin Carpaccio, and most sushi dishes provide other fine accompaniments to the Lawson's Sauvignon Blanc as well. And if seafood just doesn't stir your gastronomic waters, why not try this wine with a mixed nut crusted goat cheese that is served warm over mixed greens? Yum!
Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel 2001 - USA
Lake Sonoma Winery is a small intimate 20-acre hillside estate, nestled among the rolling slopes of the beautiful Dry Creek Valley. Founded originally in 1977 by Robert and Mary Lou Polson, this hidden treasure was purchased in 1996 by Gary Heck, California's premier sparkling wine producer and the driving force behind Kenwood Vineyards as well as other historic Sonoma County properties. Since December of 1999, Lake Sonoma has showcased its brand new state of the art winery, along with the property's spectacular site and panoramic views, by producing an array of equally stunning wines.
At Lake Sonoma Winery, Zinfandel and Chardonnay reign as the king and queen, sharing the noble honors among the estate's varietals. Here two award-winning Zinfandels are produced each year from Dry Creek vineyards, while the estate's very fine Chardonnay hails from the nearby Russian River appellation. In addition, Lake Sonoma also fashions a tasty Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the estate's 10,000 case production is made by Chris Willis, a native Sonoma County icon, whose best known work has been the recent excitement surrounding a still wine program at Korbel - one of the largest premium sparkling wine ventures on the planet.
Tasting Notes: "What legs! What a body! What a wine!" are just a few comments that emanated from the panel regarding Lake Sonoma's most recent Zinfandel release. Certainly, everyone sees life in a slightly different way, but the panel was unanimous in its endorsement of this stylish Zin. Make no mistake about it; the 2001 Lake Sonoma Dry Creek Zinfandel is one statuesque wine. Lots of glycerin, a heap of alcohol, and a ton of rich smooth flavors make for very memorable drinking. This is good old-fashioned California Zinfandel - just the way we like it! A staggering nose of deep down berry, spice, angostura, bramble, and barrel gush from the glass, and that's just the prelude to the real action. Redolent with the taste of ripe summer berries, chocolate and coffee, the 2001 Lake Sonoma Zin is both powerful and intensely flavored, but never hard or out of balance. In other words, we loved this wine, and trust you will, too.
Accompaniments: It would be fair to say that the 2001 Lake Sonoma Dry Creek Zinfandel is no shrinking violet, especially when it comes time to rising to the gustatory occasion. So, whether you barbecue, order in a pizza, or prepare a good old-fashioned home cooked stick to your ribs kind of meal, the Lake Sonoma offers plenty of pleasure and versatility. In fact, just about any grilled red meat, full-flavored tomato sauce, or ripe cheese will find an enthusiastic partner in this Zin, but one of our favorite companions remains chocolate, but not just any chocolate. With this Dry Creek Zin we suggest you try a genuine dark chocolate truffle from Lake Champlain, Vermont's premier chocolatier, or for an even more intense experience we recommend an Italian chocolate such as Venchi's Cuor di Cacao, an intensely flavored dark chocolate that accentuates the chocolate and espresso tones in this wine. For a milder affect, you may be more disposed to a hazelnut confection. For other fine chocolate accompaniments or simply to learn more about the world's great chocolate, click here http://www.chocolatemonthclub.com and have real party!
Lake Sonoma Winery Russian River Chardonnay 2002 - USA
Lake Sonoma Winery is a small intimate 20-acre hillside estate, nestled among the rolling slopes of the beautiful Dry Creek Valley. Founded originally in 1977 by Robert and Mary Lou Polson, this hidden treasure was purchased in 1996 by Gary Heck, California's premier sparkling wine producer and the driving force behind Kenwood Vineyards as well as other historic Sonoma county properties. Since December of 1999, Lake Sonoma has showcased its brand new state of the art winery, along with the property's spectacular site and panoramic views, by producing an array of equally stunning wines.
At Lake Sonoma Winery, Chardonnay and Zinfandel reign supreme, sharing the noble honors among the estate's varietals. Here two award-winning Zinfandels are produced each year from Dry Creek vineyards, while the estate's excellent Chardonnay hails from the nearby Russian River appellation. In addition, Lake Sonoma also fashions a tasty Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the estate's 10,000 case production is made by Chris Willis, a native Sonoma County icon, whose best known work has been the recent excitement surrounding a still wine program at Korbel - one of the largest premium sparkling wine ventures on the planet.
Tasting Notes: The 2002 Lake Sonoma Russian River Chardonnay reminds us of why the Russian River appellation is the most consistent producer of premium Chardonnay in California. This viticultural region turns out a plethora of Chardonnay wines that are just ripe for the picking, and this one is even a cut above. The 2002 Lake Sonoma Chardonnay sports a brilliant sunshine yellow robe, followed by the scent of tropical fruit, and a mere hint of spice and tropical flowers, which set the stage for perfect summer drinking. What follows is round generous fruit, edged by spice and subtle oak, and finished with a clean citrus glean - further testimony to the Russian River's prowess with Chardonnay as well as Chris Willis' deft hand at handling this chameleon like varietal. Initially, we suggest serving this medium-bodied offering fairly well chilled (40º - 45º F), especially if you are consuming it in warm weather or outside on the deck. Inside, or in more temperate surroundings, a slightly more ambient temperature will reveal additional fruit and subtle nuances of flavor.
Accompaniments: Given the round balanced style of the 2002 Lake Sonoma Chardonnay, salmon that is prepared just about anyway you like it except raw, would be our first order of the day or evening; the king of fish and the queen of grapes have developed a natural affinity that has not gone unnoticed by famous chefs and ordinary everyday cooks alike. A Maryland style lump crab cake, served with a roasted summer corn and tomato relish is another favorite pairing. Seared scallops in a light herb infused cream sauce makes for a mighty pleasant evening in the company of the 2002 Lake Sonoma Chardonnay as well. Flounder and most other white fish, salads, and pastas in cream-based sauces are also recommended. And of course, a beautiful evening under the stars with that special someone is hardly an awful way to consume a bottle of this pretty Chardonnay, either. Enjoy!
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