$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the newest entry from Crew Wine Company, a remarkable venture based outside of Woodland, CA, that has developed four basic labels, all of which have been showcased at Carpe Vino or through our Wine Club:  Matchbook, Mossback, Chasing Venus and Sawbuck.  Each sub-brand focuses on grapes from specific regions or varietals.  For example, Chasing Venus is all about sauvignon blanc; Matchbook is fueled with grapes exclusively from the Dunnigan Hills in Yolo County, which includes The Arsonist Chardonnay and now The Arsonist Red Wine.

Crew’s founders gained fame just before the turn of the 21st century when they introduced Toasted Head Chardonnay through their R.H. Phillips winery, which was ultimately sold to the mega-firm, Vincorp.  Crew was launched when the principals departed in 2005 to start all over again on their own.  They’ve been very successful, and no doubt much happier being in control of their own destiny.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Dense, lush and ripe, the Arsonist 2012 Red Blend is the ultimate reminder that, sometimes, it’s perfectly fine to play with fire. A deep garnet red, this blend approaches with strong chocolate and toast aromas—barrel oak, caramel, ripe black cherries and cassis. Flavors of brambly blackberry and coffee lead to a long, lingering mocha finish. The Arsonist is a big, chewy wine with firm tannins that take a long ride on the palate. Pair with baseball-cut steak, barbecued baby back ribs or bacon-wrapped filet mignon.”

$20 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

The Candor label is one of five produced by Hope Family Wines, a prolific vintner with limited awareness among consumers because of the plethora of brands in its portfolio.  Based in Paso Robles for more than 30 years, Hope Family has created relationships with growers around California to produce well crafted and affordable wines.

Candor’s fruit is from the sweet spot of zinfandel. . .the Lodi AVA.  Winemaker and President Austin Hope has worked in the family business for years, but he cut his teeth toiling for the Wagner family in Napa on Caymus.  You can count on seeing wines from this producer in future shipments.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The aromas jump right out of the glass—blackberry and raspberry along with vanilla and spice.  The upfront strawberry, cherry and licorice flavors integrate well with the smooth silky tannins.  Bold and full-bodied, yet not overpowering, this wine finishes with lasting notes of cedar wood, pepper and the Zinfandel zing that made this variety so popular.”

$55 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the second year in a row we have taken the entire vintage of Nicali Red Wine.  We featured this wine in 2014, and here’s what I said then. . .pretty much status quo accept the date on the bottle:

This is why you belong to the Carpe Vino Wine Club and a good reason to step up to the $75 club.  The 2011 Nicali Proprietary Blend was made by one of California’s most talented, highly regarded winemakers, Celia Welch (named Food & Wine magazine’s 2008 Winemaker of the year), who is also responsible for the incredibly popular cult wine, Scarecrow.  Celia made just 45 cases of Nicali Proprietary Red in 2011, and Drew scooped up 42. . .most of which will be consumed by Wine Club members.

This wine is a gutsy, 50-50 blend of Nicali Vineyard cabernet sauvignon and California-sourced zinfandel and a great example of Celia’s of how Celia’s risking-taking pays off big time.

Nicali is part of the Napa Valley’s Lindstrom Wines, where Celia Welch has been winemaker since 2005.  Her Lindstrom Cab is made from Nicali Vineyard fruit, grown in the heart of the Stags Leap District.

Gary’s Tasting Notes:  I’m really a fan of this wine, and I always take home my fair share early. . .it just doesn’t stick around long.  The Nicali presents elegantly in the glass with a rich, deep garnet hue.  It is fresh and fragrant, with intense blueberry and blackberry flavors.  Ready to drink now, the tannic bite is modest, but spirited enough, memorialized with a bracing and succulent finish.

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the newest entry from Crew Wine Company, a remarkable venture based outside of Woodland, CA, that has developed four basic labels, all of which have been showcased at Carpe Vino or through our Wine Club:  Matchbook, Mossback, Chasing Venus and Sawbuck.  Each sub-brand focuses on grapes from specific regions or varietals.  For example, Chasing Venus is all about sauvignon blanc; Matchbook is fueled with grapes exclusively from the Dunnigan Hills in Yolo County, which includes The Arsonist Chardonnay and now The Arsonist Red Wine.

Crew’s founders gained fame just before the turn of the 21st century when they introduced Toasted Head Chardonnay through their R.H. Phillips winery, which was ultimately sold to the mega-firm, Vincorp.  Crew was launched when the principals departed in 2005 to start all over again on their own.  They’ve been very successful, and no doubt much happier being in control of their own destiny.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Dense, lush and ripe, the Arsonist 2012 Red Blend is the ultimate reminder that, sometimes, it’s perfectly fine to play with fire. A deep garnet red, this blend approaches with strong chocolate and toast aromas—barrel oak, caramel, ripe black cherries and cassis. Flavors of brambly blackberry and coffee lead to a long, lingering mocha finish. The Arsonist is a big, chewy wine with firm tannins that take a long ride on the palate. Pair with baseball-cut steak, barbecued baby back ribs or bacon-wrapped filet mignon.”

$70 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

In November 2013, The Wine Spectator’s editor in Europe, James Molesworth, wrote a piece about emerging winemakers in the Northern Rhône.  Here’s what he had to say about Julien Pilon who started making wine on his own in 2010:

Pilon started by buying grapes but has since added 10 acres of rented parcels to his portfolio in order to gain better control over viticulture and quality. And after starting with just white wines, he has added some red as well. Pilon is growing quickly—after making 1,400 cases of eight different wines in 2011, he jumped to 2,333 cases and 13 different wines in 2012. He hasn’t set any specific limits either.

“I don’t really know,” he answered with a half-chuckle when I asked him where he wants to top out at. “The ideal is to have a balance between producing and staying in control of everything, while enjoying life. Maybe that’s around 2,500 cases. But then again, it’s hard to say ‘No’ to clients if they like your wine and want more. So, we’ll see.

“The main thing I want to develop though is the sourcing,” said Pilon. “I want to control the viticulture, rather than just buy grapes. So I’m looking for places where I can plant my own vineyards, as well as rented parcels where I can do the viticulture.”

Wine Spectator Tasting Notes (92 Points):  “Fennel, green almond, green fig and pear notes weave together, framed by a pronounced stony edge that keeps the bright, floral-infused finish tightly focused. A young domaine to watch. Drink now through 2017. 35 cases imported.”  James Molesworth

$17 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Jules Mélange crafts distinctive small lot blends in the Napa Valley. . .Vin Rouge, Vin Blanc, and Vin Rose.  Founded by Julianna ‘Jules’ Corley in 2007, her focus is in the vineyards where she consults for and helps manage many great estates throughout Napa Valley and neighboring regions. Her husband, Chris Corley, helps her with the winemaking and together they own Barrelhead Wine.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This unique blend was fun for us to work on. We have always enjoyed working with sauvignon blanc, and exploring blending possibilities with JULES Mélange over the years has been invigorating.  Sauvignon Blanc brings a bright, yet ripe fruit character to the wine. There are nice stone fruits and an appealing well balanced mouthfeel. The Albarino is a crisp, fresh wine that lends a wonderful freshness to the blend and bring in just the right amount of citrus green fruit. Together these wines work very well and create a uniquely assembled blend that is fun and versatile.”

$17 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Jules Mélange crafts distinctive small lot blends in the Napa Valley. . .Vin Rouge, Vin Blanc, and Vin Rose.  Founded by Julianna ‘Jules’ Corley in 2007, her focus is in the vineyards where she consults for and helps manage many great estates throughout Napa Valley and neighboring regions. Her husband, Chris Corley, helps her with the winemaking and together they own Barrelhead Wine.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This unique blend was fun for us to work on. We have always enjoyed working with sauvignon blanc, and exploring blending possibilities with JULES Mélange over the years has been invigorating.  Sauvignon Blanc brings a bright, yet ripe fruit character to the wine. There are nice stone fruits and an appealing well balanced mouthfeel. The Albarino is a crisp, fresh wine that lends a wonderful freshness to the blend and bring in just the right amount of citrus green fruit. Together these wines work very well and create a uniquely assembled blend that is fun and versatile.”

$27.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the newest entry from Crew Wine Company, a remarkable venture based outside of Woodland, CA, that has developed four basic labels, all of which have been showcased at Carpe Vino or through our Wine Club:  Matchbook, Mossback, Chasing Venus and Sawbuck.  Each sub-brand focuses on grapes from specific regions or varietals.  For example, Chasing Venus is all about sauvignon blanc; Matchbook is fueled with grapes exclusively from the Dunnigan Hills in Yolo County, which includes The Arsonist Chardonnay and now The Arsonist Red Wine.

Crew’s founders gained fame just before the turn of the 21st century when they introduced Toasted Head Chardonnay through their R.H. Phillips winery, which was ultimately sold to the mega-firm, Vincorp.  Crew was launched when the principals departed in 2005 to start all over again on their own.  They’ve been very successful, and no doubt much happier being in control of their own destiny.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Dense, lush and ripe, the Arsonist 2012 Red Blend is the ultimate reminder that, sometimes, it’s perfectly fine to play with fire. A deep garnet red, this blend approaches with strong chocolate and toast aromas—barrel oak, caramel, ripe black cherries and cassis. Flavors of brambly blackberry and coffee lead to a long, lingering mocha finish. The Arsonist is a big, chewy wine with firm tannins that take a long ride on the palate. Pair with baseball-cut steak, barbecued baby back ribs or bacon-wrapped filet mignon.”

$25 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Exactly two years ago, we featured Shane Grenache Blanc as a Wine Club selection.  Here’s what I wrote then about the owner/winemaker. . .

Shane Finley is the poster boy for taking the circuitous to becoming a winemaker.  He has no formal enology or viticulture degree. . .he is 100% OJT (on the job training).  Twelve years ago, this English major from the Virginia Military Institute (the “West Point of the South” that produced General George C. Marshall and seven recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor) left his job with an insurance company in New York City and headed for the vineyards of California.

Shane’s first gig was as a harvest intern at Copain in Santa Rosa.  Then he was off to South Australia’s Barossa Valley and another harvest internship, this time at Torbreck Vinters in 2002.  Continuing a trifecta of servitude on three continents, he landed in the Rhone valley for a full year at Domaine Pierre Gaillard, the place where he says he built the foundation of his winemaking philosophy.

After racking up a fistful of frequent flier miles, he returned to Copain in 2003 before moving on to Kosta Browne as associate winemaker.  After six years, he took the winemaking helm in 2012.  He has truly earned his winemaking spurs. . .as demonstrated in the quality of his namesake brand.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “A light straw color frames this effusive wine. The aromatics present an intriguing blend of honeysuckle, guava, lemon zest, and wet stone. Bright and fresh acidity harness a combination of papaya, beeswax, and kaffir lime. Accents of honey, peach, and stone fruits linger at the zesty finish.”

$55 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the second year in a row we have taken the entire vintage of Nicali Red Wine.  We featured this wine in 2014, and here’s what I said then. . .pretty much status quo accept the date on the bottle:

This is why you belong to the Carpe Vino Wine Club and a good reason to step up to the $75 club.  The 2011 Nicali Proprietary Blend was made by one of California’s most talented, highly regarded winemakers, Celia Welch (named Food & Wine magazine’s 2008 Winemaker of the year), who is also responsible for the incredibly popular cult wine, Scarecrow.  Celia made just 45 cases of Nicali Proprietary Red in 2011, and Drew scooped up 42. . .most of which will be consumed by Wine Club members.

This wine is a gutsy, 50-50 blend of Nicali Vineyard cabernet sauvignon and California-sourced zinfandel and a great example of Celia’s of how Celia’s risking-taking pays off big time.

Nicali is part of the Napa Valley’s Lindstrom Wines, where Celia Welch has been winemaker since 2005.  Her Lindstrom Cab is made from Nicali Vineyard fruit, grown in the heart of the Stags Leap District.

Gary’s Tasting Notes:  I’m really a fan of this wine, and I always take home my fair share early. . .it just doesn’t stick around long.  The Nicali presents elegantly in the glass with a rich, deep garnet hue.  It is fresh and fragrant, with intense blueberry and blackberry flavors.  Ready to drink now, the tannic bite is modest, but spirited enough, memorialized with a bracing and succulent finish.