$22 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Cane & Fable is a joint venture between winemakers Curt Schalchlin and Andrew Jones.  Curt is owner and vintner of Sans Liege and is known for his critically acclaimed, yet affordable wines. Andrew, winemaker of Field Recordings spends his days planning and planting vineyards and is familiar with just about every vineyard on the Central Coast. Together, they produce Cane & Fable, a collaboration that gives special attention to the craft and story behind each wine.

Carpe Vino has featured entries from both wineries as well as the Cane & Fable Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is the first vintage of merlot produced by the label.

Winery Tasting Notes:   “Back from the dead, the 2013 Merlot has a classic claret character. Black tea, northland blueberries and wet concrete. The silky texture slides gracefully across the palate leaving behind hints of sweet plumbs, warm cedar planks, and freshly ground spices. As the wine glides towards the finish, you’re grateful for friends and excited for the future.”

$20 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the first wine we have featured from Adelaida, of which, End Post is a second label.  The winery is incredibly prolific, with 19 wines on its “current release” list, plus nine “estate label” wines another secondary label:  Recess Red.

“End Post” is a reference to the anchoring post of a vine trellising system.  The winery has a little ditty to describe the term:  “End Post defines the wine. End Post anchors the vine. End Post, it’s more than a sign.”

Adelaida Cellars’ family-owned vineyards include seven distinct properties totaling 168 acres in the craggy, mountainous terrain of Paso Robles’ Adelaida District.  The estate is planted in 24 varieties with an emphasis on Rhônes, old vine pinot noir, dry-farmed zinfandel and mountain-style cabernet sauvignon.

Winery Tasting Notes:  For a very modestly priced cab, this entry from Paso has excellent winemaking stats. . .particularly impressive is the wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak.  “Aromas: cassis syrup, violets, Christmas fruitcake, milk chocolate; flavors: black current and mulberry compote, mocha, cinnamon toast, vanilla.”

$75 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We scored a great deal on the Inglenook Cask for our $75 monthly club; it’s from the iconic Inglenook estate owned by five-time Academy Award winning director Francis Ford Coppola.  For most humans, creating timeless classics like the Godfather series and Apocalypse now would be enough for any single lifetime.  But no, Mr. Coppola has also built a winery empire with his Inglenook estate at its core, with his legendary Rubicon and Cask brands.

Mainstream wines are produced through Francis Ford Coppola winery in Geyserville.  Rounding out his hospitality empire are resorts in Central America, a hotel in Italy and a restaurant in San Francisco.

Wine is clearly Mr. Coppola’s passion, dating back to his first vineyard purchase in 1975, half of the original Inglenook estate.  More recently, he was able to purchase remaining parcels to unite the entire original property as well as restore the original chateau.

Though the end product may be too much theater for some, there is no question that Mr. Coppola has preserved an important part of Napa history and produces world class wines.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Subtle and round on the palate, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask offers fragrant notes of boysenberries, cherries, black currant and leather. Flavor intensity increases on the mid-palate with beautiful impressions of red fruits, spices, and coffee. This vintage bestows a supple texture with soft tannins and smooth, even transitions, giving it a particularly elegant style.”

$20 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the first wine we have featured from Adelaida, of which, End Post is a second label.  The winery is incredibly prolific, with 19 wines on its “current release” list, plus nine “estate label” wines another secondary label:  Recess Red.

“End Post” is a reference to the anchoring post of a vine trellising system.  The winery has a little ditty to describe the term:  “End Post defines the wine. End Post anchors the vine. End Post, it’s more than a sign.”

Adelaida Cellars’ family-owned vineyards include seven distinct properties totaling 168 acres in the craggy, mountainous terrain of Paso Robles’ Adelaida District.  The estate is planted in 24 varieties with an emphasis on Rhônes, old vine pinot noir, dry-farmed zinfandel and mountain-style cabernet sauvignon.

Winery Tasting Notes:  For a very modestly priced cab, this entry from Paso has excellent winemaking stats. . .particularly impressive is the wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak.  “Aromas: cassis syrup, violets, Christmas fruitcake, milk chocolate; flavors: black current and mulberry compote, mocha, cinnamon toast, vanilla.”

$65 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Hirsch is old-school Sonoma Coast. . .owner/founder David Hirsch purchased the first part of the estate in 1978, and quit his day job to go full time in 1987.  Now 69 acres are planted in vines.  Although this is a family operation, with wife, Marie, handling marketing and daughter, Jasmine, responsible for sales, the winemaker is Ross Cobb.  He worked at two top estates—Williams Selyem and Flowers—before taking over at Hirsch.

Most of the wines produced at Hirsch are red, with a mere 3.9 acres of chardonnay vines planted on the estate, and all of it is dedicated to producing Hirsch Vineyards Estate Chardonnay. Purity, restraint, acidity and moderate oak define this wine.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2012 vintage is one of the most heralded vintages to date in California. It has produced in our Chardonnay a wine of great intensity and energy, with an acidic spine providing continuity and a very long, persistent finish. Controlled power, honesty, purity and nobility. This is a wine to lay down in your cellar.”

$20 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Broadside is a venture founded in Paso Robles by the husband-and-wife team of Brian and Stephanie Terrizzi, following several years of making wine in Italy, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara County.  Brian approaches winemaking at Broadside with a minimalist, refined touch.  With degrees in enology, chemistry and plant science, Stephanie manages vineyard operations. She is a prominent force for bio-organic viticulture in the central coast, and was recently nominated for winegrape grower of the year in San Luis Obispo County.

Wild Ferment Chardonnay is Broadside’s unique interpretation of San Luis Obispo County Chardonnay.  Its two growing sites adjacent to the Pacific Ocean provide naturally stressed vine conditions with fog and wind serving as ideal temperature and moisture control.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2013 Wild Ferment Chardonnay displays classic notes of restrained Chardonnay fruit with Fuji apple, pineapple, and wet stone aromas.  The vibrantly fresh palate hints of the same, with underlying saline minerality and bright acidity.”

$25 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We’ve been very pleased to feature Maldonado Family Vineyard wines many times over the year because quality and value have always remained consistent.  Basic to the quality is the fact that owner Lupe Maldonado has honed his incredible vineyard skills over 45 years of working in the Napa Valley.   A native of Michoacan, Mexico, he launched his own project when he purchased a 10-acre parcel in the Jamieson Canyon of Napa.  Now, he collaborates with his son, Hugo, to produce magnificent wines under his own family name.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Color:  light clover honey and lemon verbena.  On the nose: stunning aromatics of green fig, nectarine, pink grapefruit and subtle notes of coriander.  On the palate: lush and mouth-filling; white peaches, pink grapefruit, citrus and ripe fig resonate with a bright and lingering finish.”

$20 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

This is the first wine we have featured from Adelaida, of which, End Post is a second label.  The winery is incredibly prolific, with 19 wines on its “current release” list, plus nine “estate label” wines another secondary label:  Recess Red.

“End Post” is a reference to the anchoring post of a vine trellising system.  The winery has a little ditty to describe the term:  “End Post defines the wine. End Post anchors the vine. End Post, it’s more than a sign.”

Adelaida Cellars’ family-owned vineyards include seven distinct properties totaling 168 acres in the craggy, mountainous terrain of Paso Robles’ Adelaida District.  The estate is planted in 24 varieties with an emphasis on Rhônes, old vine pinot noir, dry-farmed zinfandel and mountain-style cabernet sauvignon.

Winery Tasting Notes:  For a very modestly priced cab, this entry from Paso has excellent winemaking stats. . .particularly impressive is the wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak.  “Aromas: cassis syrup, violets, Christmas fruitcake, milk chocolate; flavors: black current and mulberry compote, mocha, cinnamon toast, vanilla.”

$20 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Broadside is a venture founded in Paso Robles by the husband-and-wife team of Brian and Stephanie Terrizzi, following several years of making wine in Italy, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara County.  Brian approaches winemaking at Broadside with a minimalist, refined touch.  With degrees in enology, chemistry and plant science, Stephanie manages vineyard operations. She is a prominent force for bio-organic viticulture in the central coast, and was recently nominated for winegrape grower of the year in San Luis Obispo County.

Wild Ferment Chardonnay is Broadside’s unique interpretation of San Luis Obispo County Chardonnay.  Its two growing sites adjacent to the Pacific Ocean provide naturally stressed vine conditions with fog and wind serving as ideal temperature and moisture control.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2013 Wild Ferment Chardonnay displays classic notes of restrained Chardonnay fruit with Fuji apple, pineapple, and wet stone aromas.  The vibrantly fresh palate hints of the same, with underlying saline minerality and bright acidity.”

$75 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

We scored a great deal on the Inglenook Cask for our $75 monthly club; it’s from the iconic Inglenook estate owned by five-time Academy Award winning director Francis Ford Coppola.  For most humans, creating timeless classics like the Godfather series and Apocalypse now would be enough for any single lifetime.  But no, Mr. Coppola has also built a winery empire with his Inglenook estate at its core, with his legendary Rubicon and Cask brands.

Mainstream wines are produced through Francis Ford Coppola winery in Geyserville.  Rounding out his hospitality empire are resorts in Central America, a hotel in Italy and a restaurant in San Francisco.

Wine is clearly Mr. Coppola’s passion, dating back to his first vineyard purchase in 1975, half of the original Inglenook estate.  More recently, he was able to purchase remaining parcels to unite the entire original property as well as restore the original chateau.

Though the end product may be too much theater for some, there is no question that Mr. Coppola has preserved an important part of Napa history and produces world class wines.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Subtle and round on the palate, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask offers fragrant notes of boysenberries, cherries, black currant and leather. Flavor intensity increases on the mid-palate with beautiful impressions of red fruits, spices, and coffee. This vintage bestows a supple texture with soft tannins and smooth, even transitions, giving it a particularly elegant style.”