Wine Club Tasting Notes Online. . . Exclusively

Welcome to Carpe Vino’s Wine Club Tasting Notes Online, where each month you’ll find information about all of our current selections. After wines have been billed and are ready to be picked up or shipped, Wine Club members will receive an email notification. Simply select the club in which you are enrolled below. You can view the tasting notes online, download a PDF and view notes for other clubs. The best part is all notes are archived, so if you cellar your wines, you can come back and locate any tasting notes.

Wine pricing shown with the notes is full retail; wine club pricing is shown on your receipt when you pick up your wine. We hope you find this process helpful and easy to use. And for your privacy, your membership information will be kept confidential. Carpe Vino does not share our information with any outside companies or other organizations.

Enjoy!

Wine Club Tasting Notes for April

Select Wine Club Category

2013 Viamonte “Finca La Augusta” Malbec $16

(Mendoza, Argentina)

2013 Viamonte “Finca La Augusta” Malbec $16

Winery History:  “Our story begins in 1973, when Carlos Arturo Celasso planted our first vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon in the district of Maipu – since then, our family has been passionately involved in viticulture, and it has become our way of life.

With 35 years of experience as producers of fine grapes, we started our family project of Bodega Viamonte in 2007. Our objective was to produce first-rate wines that are modern, balanced, easy to drink, and truly reflect our unique vineyards in Vistalba, Lujan de Cuyo – a county known worldwide for its wine quality.

We combine excellent raw material (which comes from our own vineyards), advanced technology and seasoned winemaking experience to produce wines that are a true reflection of our own style – of our family.” – Nico, Andrea, and Martin Celasso

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromas of crushed blueberries and red currants meet hints of cedar on this medium-bodied Malbec.  Smooth and juicy, it presents flavors of black cherry, tobacco and plump raspberry, with spicy tannins on a racy finish.”

Blend: 100% Malbec
Alcohol Level: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 2,222
Winemaker Name: Martin Celasso
Maturity: Drink Now – 2024

Pairings:  Carnitas tacos, meatballs w/ tomato sauce, rich meats braised/grilled/smoked

2015 Skinner Mourvedre $28

(El Dorado County, CA)

2015 Skinner Mourvedre $28

“The legacy of Skinner Vineyards and its wine goes back more than a century and a half, but the story starts on a sunny summer day in 2006. Kevin and Kathy Skinner are young, outdoorsy people and were heading home to Santa Cruz from Lake Tahoe. Kathy is a teacher and has a thing for maps. On an old dog-eared road atlas, she saw something – a spot on the map called Skinners, CA in the low foothills next to a town called Rescue.

They detoured to Rescue, stopped at a small shopping center, and asked folks in stores about the name. Many people knew the history: A Scottish miner named James Skinner had done well during the Gold Rush, bought land, planted vineyards, and started a winery and distillery at that very spot.

They pointed Kevin and Kathy to ground with markers on a knoll looking over the area. The plot was a century-old cemetery called Skinner Ranch Cemetery. Kevin called his dad, Mike, sent pictures, and asked, “Are we related?” Mike had no idea, but was instantly drawn to the mystery. He contacted the Pioneer Cemetery Commission, and it turns out that they did! They sent him a family tree:

It started with James Skinner, then came his first son, James Jr. The second James also had a first son named James.

The third James named his first son Frank Edward Skinner. Mike knew that name. Frank Edward Skinner was Mike’s grandfather. The original James who settled the lush spot and planted one of California’s first commercial vineyards was Mike’s great, great, great grandfather.

“I suddenly had a big family history and a huge legacy to live up to….I was the first son of the first son of the first son of the first son of the first son of the first son!” Mike says. “I still get goosebumps when I tell the story.”

Passion doesn’t begin to describe Mike’s excitement about the history and the land. By the end of 2006, Mike and his wife, Carey, had bought property in “Skinners” and started planting their own vineyards. In 2007, they acquired more vineyards and land also in El Dorado County on a ridge top on the steep green hills around Fair Play. They began building the latest stage of the family legacy: the now acclaimed Skinner Vineyards & Winery.”

About the Winemaker: “Chris Pittenger didn’t set out to be a national class winemaker. The major leagues he dreamed about, like so many American kids, was baseball. A shoulder injury at Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and a viticulture class gave him a new love: wine.

Like so many great winemakers, he learned his trade around the world, working in Napa, Australia, New Zealand, then for renowned Sonoma wineries Marcassin and Williams Selyem, and was a rising star when Mike and Carey connected with Chris in 2007, even before the winery was built.

Chris immediately fell for their vision and for the region. “I saw these amazing vineyards at 2,500, 3,000 feet on these granite, volcanic soils, and I was just like, ‘Whoa, what’s going on up here?’” Pittenger says.

Pittenger’s Skinner Vineyards wines have won national acclaim, some of the best chefs in the country have worked with him, and, among other honors, he was named one of five Winemakers to Watch by the SF Chronicle.”

Winemaker Tasting Notes:  The 2015 Mourvèdre is a delicate and pretty wine that is light on its feet. This medium bodied red offers aromatics of dried red fruits like cherry, strawberry and pomegranate, complemented with savory notes of sage, damp earth, and dried herbs. The tannins are mild and the acidity is fresh and lingering on the palate.

Blend: 99% Mourvedre / 1% Grenache
Vineyards: 25% Ambrosia Vineyard / 21% Elenridge Vineyard / 14% Von Heune Vineyard / 13% Marchini Vineyard
Alcohol Level: 13.6%
Cases Produced: 380
Winemaker Name: Chris Pittenger
Maturity: Drink Now – 2022

Pairings:  beef short ribs, pork shoulder, lamb, pork sausage, and BBQ  

2013 Pago Ayles “y” Red Wine $25.95

(Zaragoza, Spain)

2013 Pago Ayles “y” Red Wine $25.95

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Selected from the oldest vineyards of Pago Ayles.  This first vintage stands out for its subtle complexity and powerful fruit.  Aromatic and lively on the palate, the high quality wood is well-integrated.  A wine with a long life ahead of it, which we recommend as an accompaniment to the finest food in the order to fully appreciate the range of intense but subtle flavors.  A concentrated yet elegant wine that represents the new direction of Pago Ayles.

Dark ruby red in colour,  It has a perfumed nose defined, with an extraordinary complex and wide range of aromas (spicy aromas of freshly cracked black pepper, red berries and boysenberries, warm oak and just a hint of dark cocoa and mineral notes).  In the mouth the wine has an excellent creamy feel, texture and refined tannins.  Persistent, elegant and well balanced, full bodied leading to a rich mouth-filling finish supported by a crispy acidity. ”

Blend: 35% Garnacha, 26% Tempranillo, 23% Merlot & 16% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol Level: 14%
Cases Produced: NA
Winemaker Name: Jose Ignacio Tejero Felipe
Maturity: Drink Now – 2022

Pairings:  Fried/Smoked Chicken, Pork, Soft Cheeses, Mushroom Risotto

2011 Behrens Moulds Cabernet Sauvignon $85

(Napa Valley)

2011 Behrens Moulds Cabernet Sauvignon $85

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2011 Moulds Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Oak Knoll District, once again presents as classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple black in color, it exhibits earthy aromas of white pepper, currants and loam. The mid-palate is elevated with flavors of cassis and spearmint and is beautifully balanced with well-integrated tannins. Spicy clove and teaberry linger on the finish of this lovely wine from one of our favorite vineyards.”

Blend:  84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol Level:  14.5%
Cases Produced:  296
Winemaker Name:  Les Behrens
Maturity:  This is a big dog made from Oak Knoll fruit rendering it an excellent candidate for cellaring.  Drink through 2025

Pairings:  Anything roaming the back 40. . .especially a three-inch cowboy steak

2014 Julien Pilon Condrieu Lone Viognier $54

(France)

2014 Julien Pilon Condrieu Lone Viognier $54

History: “The white wines of Condrieu have enjoyed an excellent reputation for many generations.
The Popes – from the era when they resided in Avignon – were great enthusiasts. In the 16th century, the Chapter of Lyon of the Catholic Church used to serve them to VIP guests. Closer to the present day, legendary French gastronome Curnonsky rated it one the country’s finest white wines. But unfortunately, phylloxera, the Great War and the 1930s economic crash, coupled with growing industrialisation, caused grape-growing in the area to be largely abandoned. Soon there was only 10 hectares (25 acres) under cultivation. The AOC, established in 1940, enabled the vineyards, kept alive by a handful of Viognier devotees, to benefit in the 1980s from the vibrant market upturn in the neighbouring AOCs of Côte Rôtie and Saint-Joseph. The abandoned slopes were replanted, and the low walls have now been rebuilt…”

About the Winemaker: “Julien Pilon worked previously with Pierre-Jean Villa (and before that, in the Languedoc), but started his own label in 2010. High quality, balanced and character-filled wines are the name of the game here. Most of the wines see aging in barrel, but they show classic profiles.” – Wine Advocate

“Wine Spectator” Tasting Notes: 94 Points
“Intense, with layered apricot, white peach, plantain, Cavaillon melon and nectarine flavors that drive through the finish, picking up a citrus oil note for spine. Packed with fruit but not heady. Captivating. Drink now through 2018.”

Blend: 100% Viognier
Alcohol Level: 13%
Cases Produced: 266
Winemaker Name: Julien Pilon
Maturity: Drink Now – 2018

Pairings:  seafood and shellfish, roasted or grilled chicken, spicy flavors and Asian cuisine 

2015 Skinner Grenache Blanc $24

(El Dorado County, CA)

2015 Skinner Grenache Blanc $24

Winery Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Grenache Blanc is of medium weight with pronounced acidity that lingers on the finish. On the nose you will find aromatics of lemon zest, citrus leaf, and white flowers coupled with herbal notes, dried hay, and wet stone.“

Blend:  98% Grenache Blanc, 2% Rousanne
Alcohol Level:  13.2%
Cases Produced:  299

Winemaker Name:  Chris Pittenger
Maturity:  Ready to drink tonight

Winery Pairings: “Fresh oysters and shellfish”

2015 Skinner Grenache Blanc $24

(El Dorado County, CA)

2015 Skinner Grenache Blanc $24

Winery Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Grenache Blanc is of medium weight with pronounced acidity that lingers on the finish. On the nose you will find aromatics of lemon zest, citrus leaf, and white flowers coupled with herbal notes, dried hay, and wet stone.“

Blend:  98% Grenache Blanc, 2% Rousanne
Alcohol Level:  13.2%
Cases Produced:  299

Winemaker Name:  Chris Pittenger
Maturity:  Ready to drink tonight

Winery Pairings: “Fresh oysters and shellfish”

2013 Viamonte “Finca La Augusta” Malbec $16

(Mendoza, Argentina)

2013 Viamonte “Finca La Augusta” Malbec $16

Winery History:  “Our story begins in 1973, when Carlos Arturo Celasso planted our first vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon in the district of Maipu – since then, our family has been passionately involved in viticulture, and it has become our way of life.

With 35 years of experience as producers of fine grapes, we started our family project of Bodega Viamonte in 2007. Our objective was to produce first-rate wines that are modern, balanced, easy to drink, and truly reflect our unique vineyards in Vistalba, Lujan de Cuyo – a county known worldwide for its wine quality.

We combine excellent raw material (which comes from our own vineyards), advanced technology and seasoned winemaking experience to produce wines that are a true reflection of our own style – of our family.” – Nico, Andrea, and Martin Celasso

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Aromas of crushed blueberries and red currants meet hints of cedar on this medium-bodied Malbec.  Smooth and juicy, it presents flavors of black cherry, tobacco and plump raspberry, with spicy tannins on a racy finish.”

Blend: 100% Malbec
Alcohol Level: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 2,222
Winemaker Name: Martin Celasso
Maturity: Drink Now – 2024

Pairings:  Carnitas tacos, meatballs w/ tomato sauce, rich meats braised/grilled/smoked

2015 Skinner Grenache Blanc $24

(El Dorado County, CA)

2015 Skinner Grenache Blanc $24

Winery Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Grenache Blanc is of medium weight with pronounced acidity that lingers on the finish. On the nose you will find aromatics of lemon zest, citrus leaf, and white flowers coupled with herbal notes, dried hay, and wet stone.“

Blend:  98% Grenache Blanc, 2% Rousanne
Alcohol Level:  13.2%
Cases Produced:  299

Winemaker Name:  Chris Pittenger
Maturity:  Ready to drink tonight

Winery Pairings: “Fresh oysters and shellfish”

2011 Behrens Moulds Cabernet Sauvignon $85

(Napa Valley)

2011 Behrens Moulds Cabernet Sauvignon $85

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2011 Moulds Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Oak Knoll District, once again presents as classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple black in color, it exhibits earthy aromas of white pepper, currants and loam. The mid-palate is elevated with flavors of cassis and spearmint and is beautifully balanced with well-integrated tannins. Spicy clove and teaberry linger on the finish of this lovely wine from one of our favorite vineyards.”

Blend:  84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol Level:  14.5%
Cases Produced:  296
Winemaker Name:  Les Behrens
Maturity:  This is a big dog made from Oak Knoll fruit rendering it an excellent candidate for cellaring.  Drink through 2025

Pairings:  Anything roaming the back 40. . .especially a three-inch cowboy steak