GRAYSON COUNTY COLLEGE, Fall 2006 Class Schedule, Viticulture & Enology, Denison, Texas: contact (903) 463-8621 www.grayson.edu

KRCB-TV's 9th ANNUAL WINE & EPICUREAN AUCTION goes on-air for two weekends this fall, October 13-15, 2006.  Bidding begins at 7 PM each evening. The auction features fine and rare wines, wine tasting and tours, gourmet delights, epicurean dining and wine related items. Viewers may preview and pre-bid online at www.krcb.org starting August 1. Proceeds benefit KRCB-TV (broadcast and cable channel 22, Dish 22 or 8233, and Direct 22), the PBS affiliate serving the needs of Sonoma, Marin, Napa and San Francisco Counties as well as portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Mendocino and Solano Counties.

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SIGNATURE WINES Provides New Marketing Solutions with personalized wine labeling: Signature Wines CEO Scott Cahill says, "Our personally designed labels by an award-winning team on quality wines generates revenue for organizations and   builds relationships.  It's part of our mission to make wine more interesting and accessible."   Customer Philip Milburn, Director of Corporate Relations for Ducks Unlimited, says, "Many of our members are wine enthusiasts and buying our prsonalized Ducks Unlimited label wines is a fun way and easy way for them to support our organization and enjoy fine California wines" www.signaturewines.com.

SONOMA ODYSSEY of FOOD & WINE, A Gala and Auction:  A dozen Sonoma County Culinary Guild chefs and 30 Sonoma County wineries will work in concert Saturday, September 16, 2-5:30 PM for the annual fundraiser of Wine Library Associates of Sonoma County. This year features food and wine pairings, media sponsorship and silent and live auction items. Proceeds benefit the Sonoma County Wine Library and the farm worker education and housing programs of Sonoma County Grape Growers Association (SCGGA), co-producer.  For information: www.sonomaodyssey.org

DELICATO FAMILY VINEYARDS Imports Château Maris:  Delicato, a company known for its successful vineyard, bulk wine and case goods divisions, has partnered with Château Maris in Languedoc to import limited-production biodynamically-farmed French wines.   With over 10 domestic brands, Delicato fills a niche in its case goods portfolio by offering hard-to-find luxury wines from around the world.  ¶    "Château Maris is a groundbreaking addition to our portfolio," says Chris Indelicato, Delicato CEO. "The quality of the wines and the care with which they are farmed supports our philosophy.  We definitely have chosen the right partner, the right wines and at the right time to enter the imports business."    ¶     Château Maris is an 85-hectare property in the Minervois La Liviniere Appellation of the Languedoc.  La Liviniere is the first village in the Languedoc to be allowed to put its name after the appellation name on its labels, an indication of distinctive, quality wines.  ¶   Château Maris owner Robert Eden says, "Delicato's family spirit and evident professional ability is an ideal partner for our wines and our ethical values."  ¶   Delicato Family Vineyards will import 4000 cases of Château Maris 2004 La Touge Syrah ($27), Château Maris 2004 Old Vine Syrah ($42), Château Maris 2004 Old Vine Grenache ($51) and Château Maris 2004 Minervois ($17). Initial launch markets include New York, California, Boston, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Texas, and Las Vegas.  ¶  Delicato Family Vineyards has farmed premium vineyards in California for over eighty years. Delicato Family Vineyards brands include Delicato Family Vineyards, Gnarly Head, Irony, Clay Station, Night Owl, Chateau Maris and Monterra.

SERIOUS WINES WITH FUN LABELS FROM CASA NUESTRA: Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards in St.. Helena, Napa Valley, California released the current vintage of some special wines, available only at the winery’s St. Helena tasting room and their website online:
CASA NUESTRA 2004 Two Goats Red – A Napa Valley Red Wine!
CASA NUESTRA 2004 Petite Sirah (first one)
CASA NUESTRA 2005 Late Harvest French Colombard Old Vines, Oakville  

CORK SUPPLY GROUP announced the 2006 Cork Harvest is Biggest in Nine-Year Cycle:  The biggest cork harvest in the last nine years, bringing in a total of 140,000 tons of raw cork, according to Jochen Michalski, president of Cork Supply Group, the nation’s largest provider of premium natural cork wine stoppers.  "2006 is well over 50% larger than last year's cork harvest," says Michalski.   This year Portugal, the largest producer of raw cork, will see 110,000 tons, while the number two producer, Spain, will see 30,000 tons. Michalski points out that the Cork Supply Group’s five foresters illustrate the Group’s commitment to cork as well as provide an important advantage. “They spend most of their time throughout the year in the cork forests and are intimately familiar with the terroir of each region we buy cork from,” says Michalski. “Our forest engineers also work with forest owners to develop forest management practices to improve overall wood quality."   Cork is produced from the bark of the Quercus suber tree, also called cork oak, which grows predominantly in Portugal.   The trees are stripped every nine to ten years, when the bark is thick enough to provide viable commercial use. By cycling the production schedule of trees, cork foresters maintain a consistent and reliable source of wood. Nearly 99 percent of all cork harvested is used for commercial purposes in one manner or another. The highest quality cork is generally reserved for wine stoppers, with lower grades used in a host of products ranging from linoleum and ceiling tiles to auto parts and shoe soles. Protected by the Portuguese government as a renewable resource, the average life span of a cork tree is more than 200 years.  Since 1981, CSU has provided wineries with the highest level of quality corks available and is a member of the Cork Supply Group, with operations in Europe, North and South America, Australia and South Africa. Besides owning state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Portugal, the Group also has five forest managers in Portugal who work directly with cork forest growers to ensure that quality is maintained literally from the forest to the bottle. Global Quality Control, a unique independent quality assurance laboratory that maintains autonomous power to accept or reject all cork purchases made by the company based on strict quality standards, also supports the Cork Supply Group. 

CHEF CINDY PAWLCYN, widely respected Napa Valley restaurant owner, and her partners, Ken Tominaga and Sean Knight, are opening West Coast fish house and sushi bar in St. Helena at the old location of Pinot Blanc at 641 Main Street in mid September.  They are betting their ambitious re-do of the restaurant will open Friday, September 15.  Pawlcyn & Knight commissioned architect Howard Backen, Backen Gillam, to refashion the former Pinot Blanc.  Backen was responsible for the redesign of Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen and is widely known for his work at Robert Redford's Sundance and Harlan Estate Vineyards.

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LITTLE BLACK DRESS WINES from Brown-Forman have been released to celebrate the 80th year of Coco Chanel's introduction of the Little Black Dress.  (please see story below)          

WINE INSTITUTE PUBLISHES "AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY" (article below)

WINE & FOOD FOUNDATION again hosts the TOUR DE VIN event at Whole Foods on October 5 from 6:30 - 9:00 P.M.  Enjoy food from Austin's top chefs and wines from 50 international wineries while listening to music on the rooftop terrace at 6th and Lamar, $50 for Foundation members and $75 for general admission.  www.winefoodfoundation.org.   FEATURED CUISINE:
Amuse Bouche Catering, Aquarelle, Bistro 88, Castle Hill Café, Cibo (Will Packwood), Dona Emilia’s South American Bar & Grill, Roaring Fork, Roy’s Austin, Salt Lick 360, Sampaio’s, Satay, UCHI,
Whole Foods Market, and FEATURED WINERIES: Alderbrook Winery, Attems Winery, Austin Hope Winery, Belle Glos Vineyards, Bocce Winery, Bouchaine Estate, Boutari Winery, Bridlewood, Brolio Winery, Burgess Winery, Caymus Vineyards, Chalk Hill Winery, Champagne Dampierre, Chanson Winery, Chapoutier Winery, Chateau Campuget Winery, Chimney Rock Winery, Clos Pegase Winery, Conundrum Winery, Crawford Malone Fine Wines, Cuvaison Winery, Dreyfus Ashby, Faiveley Winery, Fess Parker Winery, Fisher Winery, Folio Fine Wine Partners, Frog's Leap Winery,
Gainey Winery, Giesen Winery, Girard Winery, Grant Burge Winery, Hanna Winery, Hess Collection, Hyde de Villaine Winery, I'M Winery, Jewel Winery, Kathryn Hall Winery, Kenwood Winery, La Noble Winery, Lake Sonoma Winery, Laurenz Winery, L'Aventure Winery, Le Village Winery, Liberty School Winery, Louis Tete Winery, Lucente Winery, Lungarotti Winery, MacRostie Winery, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Makin Wines International, Mastroberadino Winery, Mer Soleil Vineyards, Miguel Torres Winery, Mirassou Winery, Novelty Hill Winery, Oberon Winery, Organic Vintners, Pine Ridge Winery, Ponzi Winery, Rancho Zabaco Winery, Raymond Winery, Red Rock Winery, Sanford Winery, Santa Margherita Winery, Sauvignon Republic Winery, St. Supery Winery,
Schramsberg Winery, Sokol-Blossor Winery, Spellbound Winery, Swanson Winery, Tamari Winery,
Treana Winery, Turnbull Winery, Valley of the Moon Winery, Verdillac Winery, West Side Red Winery, Willakenzie Winery, Wilson Daniel's Ltd.

CLOS DU VAL has released its newest estate tier wine: 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, "Oak Vineyard," Stags Leap District (SLD).  "This is our flagship wine from our home vineyard, a location founding winemaker Bernard Portet specially selected more than 30 years ago for the production of Bordeaux varietals," says Winemaker John Clews.  "The Cabernet exhibits typical SLD characteristics of fleshy dark  fruit and silky tannins, with a hint of dried herbs.  It is the first of our Cabs to be made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  I am particularly pleased with the 2002 vintage and consider it one of my favorites for SLD Cabernet.  The year produced incredibly intense, dark, rich and concentrated wines that continue to showcase CLOS DU VAL's signature style of balance, elegance, complexity and long finish."

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E. & J. GALLO Wine Company has new releases from several of its wine producers: DANCING BULL, FREI Brothers and MacMURRAY RANCH.  It reports that Dancing Bull is "still dancing" and has news reasons to dance. Included in the Gallo Family Vineyards wine portfolio are the newly named TWIN VALLEY Wines, which offer a full range of varietals for easy everyday enjoyment.  Gina Gallo tells me, "These wines were previously known s E. & J. Gallo Twin Valley Vineyards.   They join our premium tier, Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma Reserve (formerly Gallo of Sonoma), which was introduced earlier this year.  In 2007, the Single Vineyard and Estate Wines will complete our portfolio of wines ranging in price from $5.00 to $75.00 under a single label."  TWIN VALLEY is the cornerstone in the expansion of Gallo Family Vineyards as a global brand with wines to suit every wine drinking occasion.   "They're made in the Gallo Winery in Livingston, California, using many of the techniques pioneered over the last decade at the Sonoma Winery in Dry Creek Valley," Gina says.  "They include co-authorship by winemakers and winegrowers; small batch management to guarantee balanced blends, and continuous monitoring of fermentation and conditioning to give our winemakers timely choices in guiding the developing wines.   The creation of GALLO Family Vineyards as a unified global brand brings us full circle and expresses our founders' vision of making GALLO wines part of everyday life through quality, consistency and value." 

• DANCING BULL question:  "Why do you think the Bull is still dancing?  The  DANCING BULL 2004 Merlot, California $12 continues with the award winning style of  bold, intense reds that are equally at home on the dinner table or outside.  This wine tastes of blackberry pie, deep, warming dark fruit flavors of blackberry and black cherry  balanced by a smooth, luscious creamy    texture and mouthfeel."
• DANCING BULL winemakers report that the Bull now has new reasons to dance.  DANCING BULL 2004 Chardonnay, California $12 introduces the first vintage of this wine.  "It is refreshingly crisp and balanced, accomplished because the Monterey fruit provides the natural, cool climate fruit flavors and great acidity.   It displays floral notes, citrus, tropical fruits and apple, has medium body, and flavors of pear, peach, melon and influences of creamy, toasty and vanilla oak character and enjoy with pastas, chicken, nachos and Chinese food."
• DANCING BULL also introduces its first Cabernet Sauvignon.   "The DANCING BULL 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast and Sonoma County $12 has great dark fruits, balanced by chocolate and hints of vanilla without overpowering tannins.  The rich fruit is the star with firm tannins and wood components that frame the wine, structured with dark fruit flavors and firm, deep mouthful that make is a good complement to roasted meats, grilled chicken and even burgers."
• MacMURRAY Ranch 2004 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $35: "This is a classic Russian River Pinot Noir with concentrated fruit flavors of black cherry complemented by subtle oak that adds richness and depth on the finish.  The secondary notes hint at spice, mushroom, forest floor and earthy notes--pair with lamb, salmon and risotto."
• FREI BROTHERS Reserve 2004 Russian River Valley Chardonnay $20: "The wine has fruit-forward character with intense aromas and flavors that reflect the land and the climate that created the grapes.  It is big and intense with a soft mouthfeel and a long crisp finish.  Medium bodied, it expresses aromas and complex varietal characters of bright pear, peach and citrus with hints of spice and vanilla."
• Gallo Family Vineyards TWIN VALLEY Chardonnay, California $5: ". . . citrus note, hints of vanilla, dash of oak, soft with medium weight, and slight crispness"
• Gallo Family Vineyards TWIN VALLEY Sauvignon Blanc, California $5: ". . . balanced fruit flavors, honeydew melon, citrus and apple with a light crisp finish"
• Gallo Family Vineyards TWIN VALLEY White Zinfandel, California $5: ". . . crisp refreshment with bright fruitiness, strawberry and hints of sweet peach, light bodied with a balanced sweetness and acidity"
• Gallo Family Vineyards TWIN VALLEY Merlot, California $5: ". . . blends black cherry, ripe plum and oak, rounded and approachable"
• Gallo Family Vineyards TWIN VALLEY Cabernet Sauvignon, California $5: ". . . black berry and black currant, fruit and oak nicely balanced for a soft, smooth finish"
• Gallo Family Vineyards TWIN VALLEY Hearty Burgundy, California $5: ". . .combines flavors ranging from dark berry to red plum with a well-balanced approachability with hints of spice"

SIMI has a long history of winemaking throughout Sonoma County.   Winemaker Steve Reeder says, "It has helped me develop an appreciation for what each unique AVA can bring to the blend.  The 2005 SIMI Sauvignon Blanc is  blend of melon and orange blossom flavors from Alexander and Knights Valleys.  The lemon grass and citrus notes are from the cooler Russian River Valley which also enhances mineral notes and bright acidity.  I add 8% Semillon for richness.  The 2005 SIMI Chardonnay is similar with flavor and textural diversity for the various sites.  Alexander Valley has rich, viscous textures but little acid.  Cool Los Carneros gives firm acidity and acid backbone along with citrus and grapefruit flavors.  Russian River is the most balanced with a combination of rich texture supported by firm and balanced acidity.  The 2004 Russian River Reserve Chardonnay is a selection from the best barrels."

• SIMI 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County $15: "Grapefruit, lemon, orange blossoms, melon and lemongrass with flavors of citrus, melon and fig, mineral notes and crisp finish"
• SIMI 2005 Chardonnay, Sonoma County $17: "Green apple, pear and peach, vanilla, cream and toasty oak with notes of citrus, ripe apricot and pineapple and hints of spice and oak to long finish"
• SIMI 2004 Russian River Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $25: "Tropical fruits, pineapple, mango, spice and honey with flavors of mango, pineapple, vanilla notes give roundness, depth andd structure with hints of smoke and toast, a full, lengthy finish"

COSENTINO Winery produces more than 30 award-winning wines, hand-crafted from small lots of high quality fruit.  Inspired by the artistic approach to winemaking and the natural characteristics of the grapes, Mitch Cosentino lets his palate guide him.   The production of each wine varies from year to year, based on the quality and yield of the vintage.  "I want the art developing the business,” explains Mitch Cosentino, “not the business creating the art.”

• COSENTINO Winery 2004 Gewurztraminer, Napa Valley $22: This is a spicy, highly textured wine that brings the imbiber plenty of structure and layers of flavors.  It is one of the most substantial Gewurztraminer I ever recall drinking and merits your attention.  It was made with  a long, very cold stainless steel fermentation, then barrel aged for nine months in mature German and French oak barrels.  There were 150 cases made so let the search begin!

• COSENTINO Winery 2005 "The Novelist" Meritage White, Napa Valley, Lake County and Lodi $18: This wine is 63% Sauvignon Blanc and 37% Semillon.  It is partially fermented and aged in French oak barrels custom designed for this wine.  Mitch Cosentino began making wine in small lots in 1980 in Modesto, California. Ten years later he moved his operation to the Napa Valley. Here, he continues a hands-on, old world approach to winemaking. The use of punched cap fermentation, a labor-intensive, hand-crafted method of winemaking, sets Cosentino apart.   Cosentino's passion for winemaking and respect for traditional methods has resulted in a somewhat untraditional approach. Today, more than 30 ultra-premium, limited production wines are produced with more than 15 varietals.    Cosentino oversees winemaking at his three facilities: Cosentino Winery, Napa Valley; CE2V Estate Winery, Napa Valley; and Crystal Valley Cellars, Lockeford.    As Cosentino continues to discover new varietals and produce new wines, the "micro" approach to winemaking remains consistent. An exceptional talent for identifying fruit sources and determining blends continues to be the driving force behind the M. Cosentino signature, which appears on the labels of all three brands.

CHALK HILL grows it cabernet in the rock-strewn soils that underlie the hillside vineyard blocks where it grows its estate grapes for this wine.    "These well-drained soils lead to lower crop levels, concentrated flavors, and softer tannins. Each year the muscular strength of the Cabernet Sauvignon is tamed, initially, by careful site selection. Then, careful crop maintenance including: Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP), cluster thinning, and selective leaf pulling, all combine to balance the vines for the production of completely mature fruit with great, deep color.  Each year, the Cabernet is blended with a limited component of complementary Bordeaux varieties to add depth and breadth of flavors," says Winemaker Steve Leveque.  "CHALK HILL Merlot seems to thrive in soils that have a large component of clay which restricts vigor and enhances the potential for tannin development. In the quest for balanced vines, Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP), cluster thinning, and selective leaf pulling, are techniques applied to obtain completely mature fruit with great, deep color and supple tannins.  Each year, the Merlot is augmented with complementary Bordeaux varietals. The resulting blend enhances and expands the flavor profile, color and bouquet," he concludes.

• CHALK HILL Estate bottled 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon $54: "I'm proud to present the first red wine that I made from start to finish here.  This hillside wine undergoes multiple thinning passes in each block to reach our goal of low yields and vine balance. Every cluster and berry is sorted to select only perfectly ripened grapes to go into the tank.  The extracted layers of flavor, concentrated texture and nuance found their way from the barrel into the bottle.  It has perfumed aromas of black currants and blackberry jam, hints of lavender, mocha and star anise, a rich expansive texture bolstered by ripe, velvety tannins, a lush mouthfeel and cellar worthiness."
• CHALK HILL Estate bottled 2002 Merlot $43: "I blended this wine from our best Merlot clone plantings.  It provides a unique personality that speaks of the estate.  It offers red currants, earthy plum, mocha and cigar box aromas with a sweet entry that punctuates the silky, supple, seductive mid-palate and carries through the finish."

RODNEY STRONG 2003 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon $19 is one of those luscious, filled-with-yummy-black-fruits sort of Cabernets that is very drinkable indeed with any number of your favorite dishes.   Winemaker Rick Sayre says, "We farm over 250 acres of prime cabernet sauvignon in the well-drained alluvial, volcanic and uplifted shale/sandstone soils on the benches and hillsides of the Alexander Valley.  This wine has aromas of blackberry, cocoa and cedar with a rich, layered mouthfeel, replete with black cherry, vanilla and cassis and structured with lush, mature tannins."   RODNEY STRONG 2005 Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County $14 is from the heritage estate vineyard and honor's Rod's wife.  Winemaker Rick Sayre says, "Light, crisp and highly aromatic, the warmer-climate Alexander Valley fruit gives the wine ripe pear and melon character, while the ocean cooled Russian River Valley fruit offers citrus, mineral and traditinal herbaceous character."

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BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery, Santa Ynez Valley,  has released several new wines.  The focus is on Syrah and other Rhône varietals.  The Bridlewood property, a mission-style wine estate, had formerly been one of Santa Barbara's premier equestrian rehabilitation facilities. In 1998 the estate was renovated  to become an estate winery, retaining the property's architectural charm.  Bridlewood makes a broad range of wines including five types of award-winning Syrah, "Arabesque" (our proprietary Rhone-style blend), Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

• BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery 2003 Central Coast Syrah $8 (sold on premise)
• BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery 2003 Reserve Syrah, Central Coast $24: "This Syrah is designed to showcase the best grapes assembled in a particular vintage," says Winemaker David Hopkins.  "I follow the flavor, not the appellation, so it's sourced from all regions of the Central Coast with a focus on the best fruit with aromas of blackberry, plum, spice, oak, and coffee that complement soft and succulent flavors, full bodied with firm tannins, blackberry jam, plum, dark cherry, rich with moderate acidity, well balanced and clean, structured finish"
• BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery 2002 Estate Syrah $40: "This Syrah shows proper site selection with old world winemaking techniques and new world vineyard management.  It has aromas that hint of vanilla, white chocolate, smokiness, dark cassis, licorice notes and hints of mocha with flavors of dark fruits, cassis, dried black fruit, mocha, dark chocolate, licorice and herbal spices and full of soft chewy tannins and fruit characters that carry through a the long mid-plate to a lingering finish."
• BRIDLEWOOD Estate Winery 2005 Central Coast Viognier $24: "This shy, difficult grape gets very charismatic in the glass.   I blended five vineyards to express the aromatic bouquet of honeysuckle, orange blossoms, melon, buttered toast and tropical fruits.  Flavors include tart mango, peach, grapefruit--a rich and soft wine with creamy texture, soft yet supple with moderate acidity and full fruit flavors."        ____________________________________________________________________________

HANDLEY CELLARS has released two white wines to cool your summer or enjoy with food anytime.

• HANDLEY CELLARS 2004 Chardonnay, Handley Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $19: "A glorious melange of floral and fruit characters," says Winemaker Milla Handley.  "It has aromas of melons, pineapple, narcissus and orange blossoms with nicely balanced flavors of citrus and creme brulee.  It has good presence on the palate with textured acidity and depth,   richness and complexity--pair with empanadas, paella and bouillabaisse and many seafoods." (It won silver medals at Monterey Wine Competition, Tasters Guild International, Orange County Fair and the 2006 Critics Challenge International)
• HANDLEY CELLARS 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, Handley Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley $14: "This wine is bright and balanced from start to finish, offering lemon zest and daffodils on the nose with a mix of kiwi, apricots and pears on the palate.  Enjoy with sautéed vegetables, risotto and seafoods." (Silver medals won at Riverside International Wine Competition, Taster Guild International, Orange County Fair, International Eastern Wine Competition). 

KOBRAND reports that there has never been a more exciting time to be in the wine industry.  Wine consumers have increased dramatically over the past ten years and one particular category that has grown especially is Spanish wines.   "The growth of Spanish wines is very intriguing," says Kobrand President Chuck Palombini.  "Spain has outpaced  Italy and France in the last four years and is second only to Australia."  Here are several selections for your pleasure.

• ABADIA RETUERTA  Estate 2003  Rívola $13 (60% tempranillo, 40% cabernet sauvignon): "Predominantly from limestone soils, the wine is gentle and fresh with complex aromas of red fruits and jasmine--pair with lamb and potatoes."
• ABADIA RETUERTA Estate 2001 Selección Espeical $20 (75% tempranillo, 20% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot): "Rich and full bodied, complex and loaded with black cherry flavors--pair with roast pork tenderloin and mushroom risotto."
• BODEGAS JULIÁN CHIVITE 2002 Gran Feudo Crianza $11 (70% tempranillo, 25% granacha, 5% cabernet): "Fresh fruit and tempranillo aromas, a great wine for backyard barbecue with grilled pork sausage and beef burgers and friend chicken."
• BODEGAS JULIÁN CHIVITE 2001 Gran Feudo Reserva $15 (80% tempranillo balance with cabernet and merlot): "Great color and soft tannins, this elegant wine would be delightful served with braised squab and Parmigiano polenta."
• BODEGAS JULIÁN CHIVITE 2001 Gran Feudo Rosé $12: "Strawberry color, clean and fragrant with notes of berries and fruit, lively acidity with floral notes."
• VINA SALCEDA 2000 Conde de la Salceda Reserva $40 (80% tempranillo): "A traditional blend made in a modern, very full bodied style.  It has dense, deep aromas of brambly wood, cedar and dark blackberry fruit with flavors of dark cherries and mineral and a long finish, pair with braised ribs and caramelized onion risotto."
• BODEGAS RODA 2001 Roda I Rioja $56: "From grapes grown on 35-five-year-old plus vines limited to 1.5 Kg per vine.  Only fruit with phenolic maturity used.  Flavors and aromas of black cherry, blackberry and wild herb and mineral fruit, a serious structure that pairs well with juicy grilled steaks."
• DON OLEGARIO  2004 Albariño, Rias Baíxas$21: "Aromas of clover, apple blossom, and tangy ripe peach with bright and balanced acidity.   Pair whit oysters, seared tuna and seafoods."

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CANOE RIDGE Vineyard is one of the largest estate-owned single vineyards in Washington.  Located in Columbia Valley, Washington's preeminent wine region, Canoe Ridge is blessed with a combination of soil, exposure and microclimate that creates ideal conditions for merlot and cabernet sauvignon.  The 2003 vintage was one of the best in recent memory.

• CANOE RIDGE Vineyard 2003 Merlot $25: "Fermented in small lots by a variety of practices and yeast strains, individual components were created and carefully selected for blending.  We used minimum fining and filtration and aged for 18 months In a variety of oak.  The wine offers aromas and flavors of coffee, toasted almond, coconut and prunes, forest floor and cloves.  It has soft round, savory tannins with persistent flavors of dried fruits.  Enjoy with steak, lamb chops and savory stews."
• CANOE RIDGE Vineyard 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon $28: "Fermented in small lots that allowed the unique expression of the vineyard and using a variety of practices, yeasts and oaks, we aged the wine for 20 months.  The wine has aromas and flavors of spices, licorice, cinnamon, plum jam and elegant minerality,  roundness in the mouth, a powerful yet elegant structure, enjoy now are lay away to pair with savory fare."

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VALLEY OF THE MOON wines show that the 2005 vintage is proving to be a great one. The Sonoma County Pinot Blanc and Sonoma County Chardonnay show the superb character and balance that comes from top vineyards in the best years.  Very different – one bright and crisp, the other rich and complex – in style, they are wines of uncommon appeal.    The 2005 growing season in Sonoma County began with late winter rains and cold temperatures that delayed bud-break and flowering.  Early budding varieties like Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay were vulnerable to problems that might have reduced yields, but they emerged mostly unscathed.  Fortunately, this difficult period was followed by an almost perfect summer; warm – but not hot – days and cool nights.  The grapes matured at a slow, steady pace, to develop impressive varietal fruit and preserved natural balancing acidity.  The long growing season allowed the grapes to be picked at peak maturity.   Both wines came from the coldest corners of Sonoma County: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley and Carneros.  The Pinot Blanc was fermented exclusively in stainless steel and a tiny 10% aged briefly in new French oak barrels for a   viscous mouthfeel and complex vibrant fruit.   In contrast, the Chardonnay was barrel-fermented in French oak and remained in wood on the yeast lees for five months, where it underwent malolactic fermentation to contribute weight, depth and complexity.   Valley of the Moon 2005 Pinot Blanc ($16) has aromas and flavors of fresh lemon, lime, mango, a hint of vanilla and orange zest on the medium-bodied palate accented by crisp acidity in the lingering finish. Served well-chilled.   Valley of the Moon 2005 Chardonnay ($16) offers full, complex aromas and flavors of nectarine, apple, butter and coconut, nectarine, red apple, vanilla and spice, all balanced by generous acidity.  Full-bodied yet surprisingly silky in the mouth, the flavors linger in the long, elegant finish.

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FOSTERS GROUP  vision is described as aspiring to be the leading premium branded beverage company around the world that inspires responsibe enjoyment.   Fosters Group wine portfolio is made up of some of the world's leading premium wine brands. Our unrivalled portfolio includes icon brands Beringer, Lindemans, Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Rosemount, Matua Valley, Wynns Coonawarrra Estate and Castello di Gabbiano.WOLF BLASS Yellow label wines are about latitude.  Selecting fruit from a range of growing regions in South Australia--northern Clare Valley to southern Coonawarra--lets winemakers shift their choices according to the vintage.   "Latitudes translate to consistency in the bottle, even across contrasting vintages," says Winemaker Chris Hatcher.  "These four new Yellow Label releases display Wolf Blass's understanding of classic Aussie blending techniques and our decades of winemaking experiences in South Australia." 

• WOLF BLASS Yellow label 2005 South Australia Chardonnay $12: "2005 was a record crush for Chardonnay.  This fruit was sourced from premium vineyards throughout South Australia.  Careful canopy management including light summer pruning ensured fruit was evenly exposed to sunlight.  The grapes were night harvested to preserve fruit flavors and acid levels.  It has tropical aromas and flavors of melon and peach balanced by clean acidity, subtle oak and good length.  Pair with salmon and other seafoods."
• WOLF BLASS Yellow label 2004 South Australia Merlot $12: "2004 reds benefited from ample winter rain and mild conditions into summer with full ripeness and complex flavors.  This wine has coffee and plum on the nose, soft cherry and chocolate flavors with velvety creamy oak.  Serve with lamb and other meats."  
• WOLF BLASS Yellow label 2004 South Australia Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon $12: "Aromas and flavors of red berry, peppery spice and hint of mint and flavors of ripe berries with subtle oak touches and a delicate mouthfeel and good length.  Serve with grilled steaks."
• WOLF BLASS Yellow label 2004 South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon $12: "Aromas and flavors of plum, berries, hints of oak and fine silky tannins, serve with lamb, beef and other meats."
• BLACK OPAL fruit selecting for these wines came from a number of selected vineyards from throughout South Eastern Australia.   BLACK OPAL 2005 Shiraz $8 is "dense in color with ripe aromas and flavors of complexity.  Raisiny and spirited, the palate is plush  plum with a dark fruit richness. The tannins are fine and supple making a round, mouth-filling wine."  BLACK OPAL 2005 Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon $8 is crimson with aromas of prune and cherry and a palate of leafy complexity, very even and persistent with some chalky, chewy tannins that add flesh."  BLACK OPAL 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet "with typical aromas of cassis and subtle mint with herbaceous nuances.  The palate is soft, rich and sweet with firm ripe tannins and dark fruit flavors."  BLACK OPAL 2005 Chardonnay $8 is bright straw color with aromas of peach and ripe pears that are reflected on the palate, which is soft and round with rich and persistent flavors of tropical fruit."     BLACK OPAL 2004 Cabernet -Merlot $8 is "dense crimson with deep brick red hues.  The nose has rich plum and prune aromas leading to a palate with cassis and hints of chocolate gentle herbaceousness and soft ripe tannins, balanced by the Merlot on the finish."  
• CAMPANILE fruit for the 2005 Pinot Grigio $10 was selected hillside vineyards throughout the provinces of Trentino, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, the three districts that form northeast Italy's "Tre Venezie."  CAMPANILE 2005 Pinot Grigio $10 is light straw color with floral notes and nuances of pears and honeydew melon.  Nutty flavors of almond mix with complex flavors of ripe pear and lemon with a harmony of fruit and acid that give a full structure and crisp, lively mouth feel."

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MAISON MARQUE & DOMAINES (MM&D), a leading U.S. wine importer and marketer of some of the world's finest brands, sends a timely reminder that summer is not over yet.  Heat waves continue across the United States and warp energy as well as thirst that makes all yearn for something cool and refreshing.   Not that anyone ever needs an excuse to enjoy sparkling wines, but the bubbly is especially thirst quenching during hot times.  So treat yourself to these marvelous, well-chilled French champagnes and other sparkling wines that are produced in the U.S.A.   They are suitable with most foods.

• CHAMPAGNE LOUIS ROEDERER Brut Premier ($54) characterizes the Roederer House style with the combination of fresh, youthful fruitiness and the vinous qualities of a fully matured wine.  It is structured with a lively attack and a smooth palate with mingling fruit flavors of pear, apple, berries and almonds.  The wine is enjoyable and straight forward.  It has 56% Pinto Noir, 4% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier and  includes 10$ of reserve wines. 
• CHAMPAGNE LOUIS ROEDERER 1999 Brut Vintage ($74) comes exclusively from vintages of great years and reflects characteristics of the particular year.  This full-bodied, rich and opulent wine (66% Pinot Noir; 34% Chardonnay) is ideal with meals and for special occasions.  The exuberant bubbles and bouquet show the signs of maturity, dominated by impressions of fruits lightly steeped in alcohol and reveal toasty, wooded notes to add complexity.  The wine is round, fleshy and generous.  This wine has the character to support a wide range of foods and is ideal with fish and white meat dishes.
• CHAMPAGNE LOUIS ROEDERER 2000 Brut Rosé ($74) is a unique type of champagne.  The House of Roederer is one of the few producers to still use skin maceration in its winemaking.  This is a delicate method that consists of letting Pinot Noir macerate several hours on the press to extract more fruit and color.  "This process requires very concentrated and aromatic Pinot Noir grapes that come from the very old vines of the Cumières soils to help make the wine salmon pink.  With ultra fine bubbles, it is rich and lush with juicy red and black   berries and whiffs of caramel and cocoa and ample and creamy on the attack.   The acidity is pure, mineral and crystalline, as crisp as biting into fresh fruit and deliciously light.  Added complexity resembles acacia blossoms and nutty hints with an overall robust, vinous structure that remains elegant."
• CHAMPAGNE LOUIS ROEDERER 1999 Blanc de Blancs ($74) vintage champagne is produced only in the best years and in small quantities that come from a selection of the most prestigious Louis Roederer vineyards in the Côte des Blancs region.  "It offers a bouquet characteristic of Chardonnay, with all the signs of a wine that has not undergone malolactic fermentation.  The nose is restrained and elegant, with scents of white flowers and minerals developing into nuttier notes of almonds.  The wine is rounded with a vinous palate cushioned in airy elegance, ultra refined aromas and nice glimpse of toast and wood. It is crisp and mineral and the ripeness of the vintage has created a terrific staying power."
• CHAMPAGNE DEUTZ Brut Classic represents the distinctive company style of elegance and finesse, which has made Champagne Deutz one of the most respected of all Champagne houses.  The Classic is matured according to traditional methods from a blend of several vintages from twenty of the best crus until it reaches a perfect balance of flavor.  "The wine is intensely golden with fine effervescence that signifies long maturation on the lees.  On the nose, the wine displays note of hawthorne and white flowers, toast, marzipan, apples and pears.  On the palate the wine is full bodied and elegant with freshness and richness, well rounded with a fruity finish."
• CHAMPAGNE DEUTZ 1998 Blanc de Blancs ($94) shows the distinctive House style of elegance and finesse.  The wine has 40% of Deutz' vineyard grapes, which rate 98% on the Champagne scale. Deutz' relationships with many of the vignerons that supply the fruit go back several generations.  Harvest takes place over a ten-day period, generally between Sept. 15-Oct. 15 and the hand-harvested grapes are carefully transported to the traditional Coquard basket presses.   100% malolactic is followed by fermentation in 3,000 gallon tanks.  The wines are left to age and hand riddled in traditional racks.
• CHAMPAGNE DEUTZ 2000 Brut  Rosé ($77) is made exclusively from pinot noir grapes.  80% of the grapes come from the Montagne de Reims area and the remaining 20% are grown in the Marne Valley, particularly on the Pierry vineyard that belonged to Mrs. Arsene Deutz d'Arragon, wife of the company founder William Deutz.  "Bright and luminous with a salmon-pink, gold color, the understated nose hints of Morello cherries and gooseberries.  The well-defined palate has elegant fruit flavors with menthol and mineral notes accentuating the harmonious, pure structure of this elegant wine.
• ROEDERER ESTATE Anderson Valley Brut Multi Vintage, Estate Bottled Sparkling Wine, Philo, California  ($24) is the American property of CHAMPAGNE LOUIS ROEDERER.  It builds upon a 200-year tradition of fine winemaking.  Roederer's winemaking style is based on two elements: vineyard ownership and the addition of oak-aged reserve wines to each year's blend (cuvée), which creates a multi-vintage cuvée in the traditional Roederer style.  Only the first pressing of 120 gallons/ton is used to make this wine--no premiere or deuxieme taille. "The wine is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors.  It is fresh and lightly fruity with finesse and depth of flavor."
• ROEDERER ESTATE Anderson Valley Brut Rosé Multi Vintage, Estate Bottled Sparkling Wine, Philo, California  ($28) is full and round with smooth and fine persistent bubbles.  The extra measure of Chardonnay contributes elegance and austerity, which balance nicely with the delicate fruitiness of the Pinot Noir."
• SCHARFFENBERGER CELLARS was founded by John Scharffenberger in 1981 with the commitment to make ultra premium sparkling wines.   The Brut is made by the traditional méthode champenois process--whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before riddling and being disgorged.   "The wine is two-thirds Pinot Noir which gives it cherry and plum nose and one-third Chardonnay which adds tropical fruits like mango.  The 100% malolactic fermentation adds a vanilla cream character producing a round and full-bodied wine.   It has notes of freshly baked bread and a fruit forward style and with aging develops caramel and hazelnut complexity."

BERINGER has included Knights Valley as part of the Beringer family of vineyards since the mid-1960s, Winemaker Laurie Hook tells me.  "Located in Sonoma County, just 17 miles of the Napa Valley winery, Knights Valley is one of the most beautiful and unpopulated appellations in northern California and Winemaker Ed Sbragia and I have spent many hours walking the rocky, isolated and tranquil terrain to watch the evolving vineyards.  The red and white Bordeaux varieties we grow in Knights Valley are deeper, richer and more true to their varieties than I think either Ed could have imagined 20 years ago.  As a result, they allow us to make wines with wonderful intensity and concentration of fruit."  Listed below are the three new BERINGER releases from Knights Valley. In addition, BERINGER FOUNDER'S ESTATE wines has five new releases.

• BERINGER Vineyards 2002 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $27: "Ed and I keep all lots separate through vinification and aging.  Extended maceration extracted maximum color, aroma and flavors. The wines were aged in small French Nevers oak barrels (80% new) for almost 22 months.  After aging, we blended the lots to highlight Knights Valley's characteristically bright cherry fruit with sweet vanilla oak and smokey aromas, accented by dried rosemary and bramblebush scents.  A full mouth of fruit that is sweet and zesty is supported by nice acidity and round tannins."
• BERINGER Vineyards 2002 Knights Valley Alluvium, Red Table Wine $30: "We closely monitored the fermentations to extract a rich, dark ruby color and supple tannins as well as a broad array of aromas.  The wines aged in 90% new, small French oak for 23 months to soften and add layers of toasty oak, cedar, vanilla and sweet spice.   To create the blend, we chose a lush, intense-cherry/blackberry core of 76 percent Merlot and layered 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon to support the structure and add depth to the dark fruit aromas and flavors.  Small amount of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc added more spice, orange zest, roasted coffee and fruit nuances, giving an overall impression of pushiness and depth."
• BERINGER Vineyards 2004 Knights Valley Alluvium Blanc, White Table Wine $16: "Predominantly Sauvignon Blanc with 39% Semillon we created a round, lush mouthfeel and vanilla, nutty-toasty oak aromas and flavors.  The wine has good balance, fruit flavors and oak nuances and creaminess that balances the crisp acidity.   It is lush with floral and lemon-verbena aromas."  

KORBEL owner Gary Heck also includes several fine wine-making facilities in his portfolio: KENWOOD VINEYARDS, LAKE SONOMA WINERY, VALLEY OF THE MOON are among them.  KENWOOD VINEYARDS white wines show that some like it cool!  KENWOOD winemakers have learned that chardonnay and sauvignon blanc grapes excel in cool growing regions; consequently, they source these two grapes exclusively from Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley, Sonoma County’s two coldest vineyard regions. The KENWOOD 2005 Sonoma County Chardonnay, KENWOOD 2005 Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay and KENWOOD 2005 Sonoma County Reserve Sauvignon Blanc demonstrate the importance of cool sites for quality.  The strong marine influence – cold coastal wind in the afternoon and frequent fog in evening – during the growing season-- can give grapes the time needed on the vine for impressive fruit character and abundant natural acidity.Kenwood Vineyards handcrafts fine wines from premium Sonoma County vineyards.  Established in 1970 in the scenic Sonoma Valley, just an hour north of San Francisco, Kenwood Vineyards welcomes visitors to its tasting room daily.  KENWOOD is among the  properties of Gary Heck of Korbel sparkling wine fame.  So are VALLEY OF THE MOON, which just released its Syrah, and LAKE SONOMA, which has just released its reasonably-priced Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

• KENWOOD 2005 Sonoma County Chardonnay $15: " . . . fresh apple, pear and tropical fruit aromas and flavors are backed by hints of vanilla to highlight this appealing style with spicy oak, a rich palate and delicately crisp finish." 
• 2005 Kenwood Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $20: ". . . aromas of kiwi, pineapple and toasty oak with kiwi, pineapple and citrus dominating the opulent flavors, along with toast and cream accents of this balanced and generous wine."
• KENWOOD 2005 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma county $15: ". . . has intense gooseberry, lemon, lime and jasmine aromas with vibrant lemon, lime and herb flavors that are balanced by mineral undertones. Concentrated yet light in the mouth, this wine shows fine balancing acidity in its fresh, crisp finish."
• KENWOOD Jack London Vineyards has three delicious red wines ready for you and the secret of their success is in the mountains.  VP Margie Healy tells me "When Kenwood Vineyards produced its first Jack London Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon nearly 30 years ago, it started a revolution.  Today dozens of California wineries produce single-vineyard wines from vines situated in mountain locations.  Most give credit to thin, gravelly hillside soils for the concentrated character that makes these wines so memorable.  Make no mistake, mountain soils are important to the character of these wines, but Kenwood’ long experience with Jack London has shown mountain microclimate can be similarly influential.  The just-released two 2004 Kenwood Vineyards Jack London Vineyard Merlot and the Zinfandel and 2003 Kenwood Jack London Syrah all show the influence of mountain microclimate: Topography is the reason.  During the growing season, a valley floor acts like a heat trap, getting very hot during the day and holding that heat longer at night. By contrast, hillsides and mountains do not hold the heat during the day and – in coastal areas with marine influence – usually experience cooling afternoon breezes earlier and more strongly than the valley floor, thus limiting daytime highs to a relatively brief period. This moderate microclimate allows grapes grown in the uplands more time on the vine to reach physiological ripeness and helps preserve natural acidity, even as the thin, rocky soils concentrate fruit character. Situated high on Sonoma Mountain, Jack London Vineyard also is blessed with southern and eastern exposures that catch the afternoon wind from nearby San Francisco Bay and partially shade the grape leaves during the warmest hours of the afternoon. Together, these elements accentuate the benefits of its mountain microclimate."
• KENWOOD 2003 Jack London Vineyard Syrah $30: "Huge aromas of red and black currants and dark chocolate distinguish the 2003 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Syrah. In the mouth, medium-bodied flavors of red currant and earth are accented by subtle spice notes. Soft tannins and moderate acidity add smoothness to the palate The 2003 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Syrah is the first to be distributed nationally.
• KENWOOD 2004 Jack London Vineyard Zinfandel $23: "This wine displays lush aromas of blackberry and raspberry, along with subtle notes of mint and vanilla. Ripe blackberry and Italian plum, plus a hint of spice, highlight the forward flavors. The full-fruited palate leads to a soft, graceful finish.  
• KENWOOD 2004 Jack London Vineyard Merlot $25 has "deep, dark color and full, forward aromas of blueberry, tobacco, sage and orange peel and a bold “mountain” style.   Generous, almost sweet blueberry and blackberry flavors combine with a weighty yet polished texture to offer uncommon drinking pleasure.  Elegant acidity adds balance to the lingering finish.
• LAKE SONOMA 2005 Russian River Valley Chardonnay $16: "This newly released Chardonnay has generous fruit and complexity, yet a   polished elegance.  It shows the benefits of the long, cool Russian River Valley growing season, but meticulous winemaking is the key to its graceful character--whole-cluster pressing limits extraction of harsh compounds in the skins, seeds and stems.  The young wine spent five months in barrels on the yeast lees and was stirred regularly.  Stirring the lees buffers the wine from the barrel, limiting extraction of wood tannins and color and enables the lees to contribute “creamy” flavor and texture nuances.  This Chardonnay has aromas and flavors of fresh citrus, pear, red apple and honeysuckle, medium-bodied, subtle toast, cream and vanilla accents, smooth on the palate, finishes with light, lithe balancing acidity.
• VALLEY OF THE MOON 2003 Syrah, Sonoma ($16) Vice President Margie Healy says, "Among the nearly two dozen red grape varieties most commonly used in winemaking, Syrah arguably produces the biggest and most concentrated red wine of them all.  Nevertheless, this is one grape where too much of a good thing produces a bad thing; a wine so huge it is virtually undrinkable. The key to creating delicious Syrah is to let the grape express its powerful character while reining in its proclivity towards coarse tannins and low acidity. The just-released 2003 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County Syrah does just that, and the result is a delicious accompaniment to hearty, robust fare.  It exhibits aromas and flavors of   blueberry, pomegranate and white pepper together with subtle lavender and anise accents. Big, bold black fruit and pomegranate flavors gain complexity from a dash of white pepper and spice in the background. Showing compelling weight and generous integrated tannins on the palate, it stays mouthfilling yet supple through the lingering finish.  VALLEY OF THE MOON wines show that the 2005 vintage is proving to be a great one. The Sonoma County Pinot Blanc and Sonoma County Chardonnay show the superb character and balance that comes from top vineyards in the best years.  Very different – one bright and crisp, the other rich and complex – in style, they are wines of uncommon appeal.    The 2005 growing season in Sonoma County began with late winter rains and cold temperatures that delayed bud-break and flowering.  Early budding varieties like Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay were vulnerable to problems that might have reduced yields, but they emerged mostly unscathed.  Fortunately, this difficult period was followed by an almost perfect summer; warm – but not hot – days and cool nights.  The grapes matured at a slow, steady pace, to develop impressive varietal fruit and preserved natural balancing acidity.  The long growing season allowed the grapes to be picked at peak maturity.   Both wines came from the coldest corners of Sonoma County: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Valley and Carneros.  The Pinot Blanc was fermented exclusively in stainless steel and a tiny 10% aged briefly in new French oak barrels for a   viscous mouthfeel and complex vibrant fruit.   In contrast, the Chardonnay was barrel-fermented in French oak and remained in wood on the yeast lees for five months, where it underwent malolactic fermentation to contribute weight, depth and complexity.   Valley of the Moon 2005 Pinot Blanc ($16) has aromas and flavors of fresh lemon, lime, mango, a hint of vanilla and orange zest on the medium-bodied palate accented by crisp acidity in the lingering finish. Served well-chilled.   Valley of the Moon 2005 Chardonnay ($16) offers full, complex aromas and flavors of nectarine, apple, butter and coconut, nectarine, red apple, vanilla and spice, all balanced by generous acidity.  Full-bodied yet surprisingly silky in the mouth, the flavors linger in the long, elegant finish.

CONCANNON has handcrafted wine since 1883.  It has grown grapes in the San Francisco Bay and California's Central Coast areas. "The austere, rocky soil at our Livermore Valley estate encourages the vines to concentrate flavors in the ripening of its fruit. Over the last century, we have carefully adapted our planting and trellising to take advantage of our unique terroir. The result: intensely flavored and wonderfully balanced grapes that make for award-winning wines," says owner Jim Concannon.

• CONCANNON 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Selected Vineyard, Central Coast $10: "Our Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon is well structured full bodied, rich and fruitful with dark berry, black cherry flavors. Hints of earth, cedar and fine tannins provide for a soft, smooth, lingering finish, enjoy with filet mignon."

• CONCANNON 2003 Chardonnay Selected Vineyard, Central Coast $10: "Aged 50% in barrels, 30% of the wine the underwent malolactic fermentation.  It is medium-bodied, and has a superlative mouthfeel of zesty, yet silky, fruit. Tropical and toasty flavors of vanilla oak on nose,  all to make this Chardonnay a fine Central Coast offering. Its clean finish offers the essence of crisp apple and nutty oak, which perfectly complements all the luscious, bright fruit, enjoy with roasted chicken and shellfish."

• CONCANNON 2003 Petite Sirah Limited Release, Central Coast $14: "Twelve months aging in French and American oak, the wine has a fruit aromas of black cherry and plum with a full body, mellow structure, hint of oak and vanilla with a long finish.  Enjoy with beef and wild game dishes." 

GRAVITY HILLS 2003 Base Camp Syrah. Paso Robles $15: "Welcome to the friendly Syrah," says Winemaker Creech.  "Base camp reaches up out of the glass, shakes your hand and invites you in.  Our ripest clusters spend 14 months in oak for a juicy, fruit-driven wine with charm to spare.  With red fruits and spices, the velvety smooth palate offers strawberry, black cherry, plum, blueberries, licorice, white pepper, leather that continue to a long finish.  Enjoy with creamy cheeses, pasta, roasted chicken, red meat and a spicy dishes."

TOLOSA Winery has introduced me to five of its wines.  I was delighted to learn that my friend Larry Brooks is the winemaker. Larry tells me that "Tolosa’s style of winemaking reflects our commitment to quality. Our goal is to produce a perfectly balanced wine and to stay true to the characteristic of the grape varietal.  Selecting only the top 10% of the fruit from our Edna Ranch's 720 acres allows us to consistently produce distinctive wines. We only produce estate grown wines that come from our vineyards planted in the cooler climate of Edna Valley, California.   At Tolosa, we say that our wines are 'honest to the grape.'  That's because we don't manipulate the flavors of our wines.  Each of our estate-picked, estate-bottled grapes is free to express its natural flavor.  The result is full-bodied, drinkable wines with big flavors. Located on the Central Coast of California, on the beautiful Edna Valley Ranch, Tolosa's commitment to award-winning wine is why we're growing expectations every year."

• TOLOSA Winery 2005 No-Oak Chardonnay, Edna Valley $16: "This is Chardonnay laid bare; no ML, and no barrels to hide behind! Pure lime blossom, white peach, and tangerine fruit with a core of cool-climate minerality. This is a big, flavorful Chardonnay, but balanced by elegant, crisp acidity. Stellar with sushi, and equally at home beside simple tapas; warm roasted almonds, Spanish tortilla or thin slices of Jamón Serrano & ripe melon."
• TOLOSA Winery 2004 Estate Edna Ranch Chardonnay $20: "Our Estate Vineyard sits in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, with cooling breezes and frequent evening fog. This moderating effect provides a long growing season, allowing complex flavor to develop in the fruit, while protecting it from over-ripening. The 2004 finished to perfect ripeness. This bottling selected blocks utilizing the Dijon clones 76 and 96 of Chardonnay, as well as a California selection known as 'Tepesquet.'  The result is a nuanced, complex wine that shows of the style and character of our Edna Ranch Estate. Polished and balanced, it's laced with aromas of honeysuckle, tangerine, and lime blossom. Richly textured, the elegant oak tones frame these crisp fruit and floral aromas."
• TOLOSA Winery 2005 Central Coast Pinot Noir $18: "A pure feminine expression of the pinot noir grape, it shows intense floral perfume, red berry fruit, and spicy accents of citrus peel and cardamom.  Pair it with Indian curry, paella and tuna salads." 
• TOLOSA Winery 2004 Estate Grown Pinot Noir $28: "Crimson-tinted garnet color. Striking aromas of strawberry and blueberry with rose petal floral aspects. Flavors are perfectly balanced and ripe. Fantastic weight on the palate, with supple middle fruitiness and a chewy, crisp aftertaste to hold all the elements together."
• TOLOSA Winery 2003 Estate Grown Syrah $20: "With a diverse range of clonal selections, soil types, and exposures, the nearly 60 acres of Syrah vines in our Edna Ranch Estate Vineyard present us with a multitude of options in selecting fruit for our Estate Syrah program. While each site contributes something very individual, the result in this final blend is a complex, balanced wine that speaks clearly of its cool-climate origins.   Rich, ruby color. Classic cool-climate aromatics of white pepper and spice with intense cassis and black-plum flavors. Round tannins and supple mid-palate with a long, lingering finish. Production 1,684 cases
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CASA NUESTRA Winery and Vineyards is on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley.  You'll need that information because the wines are available only from the Wine Club, at the Winery, or on the web site.  It is best to telephone for an appointment because this limited-production winery has folks clamoring to get in to taste and buy and its wines.  CASA NUESTRA has just released its "Serious wines with fun labels" which are the current vintage of some special wines: CASA NUESTRA 2004 Two Goats Red, Napa Valley Red Wine, CASA NUESTRA 2004 Petite Sirah (first ever), and the CASA NUESTRA 2005 Rosado.
Casa Nuestra, which means “our house” was established in 1979 and continues to produce only about 2,000 cases annually. The Casa team of only six people proudly craft by hand several wines including Meritage, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Rosado (a dry rosé), White Riesling, French Colombard, Two Goats Red (a Napa Valley Red Wine), Tinto St. Helena, and Tinto Classico – made from two field blended vineyards. All are award winning. They welcome the public to the winery Monday through Saturday, with an appointment for tasting and/or tours with barrel samples. Casa Nuestra Winery is located at 3451 Silverado Trail North in St. Helena, California, Napa Valley. They can also be reached by phone toll-free: 866/844-WINE or on the web at www.casanuestra.com. Picnickers and well-behaved canines welcome!

• CASA NUESTRA 2004 Two Goats Red, Napa Valley Red Wine $19 is an estate wine from the St. Helena vineyards. The wine is dedicated to the Weed Abatement staff (Nubian goats named Nava & Cross) located onsite. The varieties change each vintage, depending on vineyard productions. This third bottling is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Sirah aged separately for eighteen months in small French oak barrels. “We’re committed to offering a top quality Napa red for under $20.  Each year's blend is a surprise and always delicious!” says Stephanie Zacharia, Apprentice Winemaker. 299 cases were produced."
• CASA NUESTRA 2004 Petite Sirah, Solano County $26 comes from a friend's vineyard. "A friend of the winery grows these grapes in a Roman style, head-pruned vineyard planted nearly fifty years ago in neighboring Solano County. Casa Nuestra produced it traditionally by aging in small oak barrels for almost two years. The result is a rich and velvety wine with dark, ripe fruit. 121 cases were produced.  The label commemorates the arrival of Trigger, a two-year old black lab, rescued from a local Humane Society. New dog. New wine.
• CASA NUESTRA 2005 Rosado (a dry Rosé): "Initially we made our Rosado to resemble Loire Rosés, but this year we did our own spin by adding Merlot-- blending 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc. It was fermented to dryness in stainless steel and already offers abundant strawberries and bright cherry flavors that dance on the tongue before finishing clean. Serve with grilled salmon, BBQ ribs, a crisp green salad, or any summertime dish. 312 cases produced.
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ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2003 Syrah $20 is a sight for all eyes.   Rich, ripe and smooth, the 2003 Wetzel Estate Syrah is prime example of the excellence of both the region for growing magnificent Syrah and Winemaker Kevin Hall's skills in producing powerful but balanced wines.  Hall says, " A medium bodied wine with an intense opaque purple/black colors, it has aromas of intense ripe fruit, including blueberry, blackberry and black cherry, and additional nuances of slight earthiness and traces of violet. On the palate, blackberries and rich cassis dominate with a frame of  vanillin oak, dark fruits that carry through on the palate to firm yet well-integrated tannins and a long finish."  Double Gold Medal - 2006 San Francisco International Wine Competition and Gold Medal - 2006 Indy International Wine Competition   Enjoy with Turkish Spiced Lamb Burgers and Latin Pork and Hominy Stew (see www.avvwine.com for recipes.

ANDELUNA CELLARS,  a new Argentina winery, has won multiple gold medals: Andeluna Cellars Winemaker Silvio Alberto surprised a number of international wine competition judges with his first vintage, winning a total of 20 gold medals in just eight competitions. It was the strongest showing of any winery in Argentina.  ¶  “I am very pleased with the positive reception our wines received in the United States,” said Alberto. “We strive to make the finest Argentine wines and it is a good feeling to know we stand out among our many fine competitors.” ¶ ANDELUNA 2003 Reserve Malbec was awarded a Double Gold medal from the San Francisco International Wine Competition, competing with 1,000 wines from 19 countries. Double Gold medals were awarded only to those wines that won unanimous approval from all judges on the panel. Andeluna Cellars winery also was awarded “Best of Nation” by the judging panel, amassing the highest total number of points of all the Argentine wineries. ¶  Since their US release in September 2005, Alberto’s wines have received outstanding reviews from numerous renowned wine critics. Ronn Wiegand, editor of Restaurant Wine, gave his highest rating of five stars to Andeluna Cellars’ 2003 Reserve Malbec, 2003 Winemaker’s Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2003 Winemaker’s Selection Merlot (Restaurant Wine, Issue #111). Said Wiegand, “[Silvio Alberto’s wines are] some of the most impressive wines from Argentina I've ever tasted. Andeluna Cellars is making some of Argentina's best wines.” ¶ Alberto has worked with a remarkable collection of international winemakers, including Mike McGrath of Villa Mt. Eden and Jeffrey Stambor of the Beaulieu Vineyard.  He was recently honored  with the Revelation Award in Enology at the 2005 Argentine Grape Growing and Wine Production “Francisco Oreglia Awards.” ¶ Andeluna Cellars’ wines are produced in a state-of-the-art winery at the base of the Andes mountain range in Mendoza, Argentina. Andeluna Cellars award-winning wines include Winemaker’s Selection Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, priced at $13; Reserve Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, priced at $23; and a Limited Reserve Cabernet Franc, and the Grand Reserve Pasionado (a Bordeaux-style blend), priced at $50 each. Additional information can be found at www.andeluna.com. Andeluna Cellars wines are imported by Kysela Père et Fils, Ltd. 

KOBRAND has donated several wines for a program I'll be presenting in late September to members of the Junior League of Austin.  Among them are the LINCOURT 2005 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay ($19) and Winemaker Bill Foley says, "Upon completing fermentation, the wine clarified and settled in the barrels from January through June.  It was stirred twice weekly and then completed malolactic fermentation.  Then the wine was further aged and stirred until August.  The blend was determined then assembled. The wine shows tropical fruits and citrus notes enhanced by vanilla and butterscotch with hints of oak."    SEQUOIA GROVE 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon ($32) according to Winemaker Michael Trujillo has twice the power of any previous Napa Valley Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon.   "It is twice as rich and bold with twice the concentration.  At the last minute I blended in 5% Merlot because I'm out to make the best wine possible and not be boxed in by the idea of a 100% varietal.  This wine reveals the most dramatic improvement of all the wines we make and I'm confident there isn't another Rutherford-based wine of this quality for the price."   ST. FRANCIS 2003 Syrah, Sonoma County: Winemaker Tom Mackey has recently introduced his first Syrah. " The Russian River fruit contributes peppery, spicy flavors and the Sonoma Valley fruit contributes blueberry, jammy, and black fruit flavors. Aging was done with 50% French oak, about 30% new, and the balance in neutral American oak barrels. The wine was in barrels for 15 months and then bottle-aged for six months. Fruit-forward and concentrated, this wine reflects the complexity that can be achieved by blending Syrah wines grown in both hot and cooler growing areas. Including hints of Grenache in this Syrah gives candied notes reminiscent of the wines of France’s Rhone Valley. Adding Sangiovese polishes the wine with structured tannins and bright acidity."  

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GOLDEN KAAN is a newly introduced wine from South Africa.  South Africa’s vineyards are mostly situated in the Western Cape near the coast. The traditional viticultural areas of the Cape Peninsula and surrounding regions have a mainly Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and good winter rainfall, ensuring the minimum amount of irrigation.  These weather and terroir conditions produce full-bodied and unique wines like the ones of GOLDEN KAAN. I am told it has received critical acclaim throughout most of Europe and is poised to be a dominant presence in the U.S. market.    GOLDEN KAAN brings a contemporary approach to classical winemaking, exhibiting a nuance in style that balances Old and New Worlds with good-value wines. www.golden-kaan.com.   

• GOLDEN KAAN 2005 Chardonnay, South Africa $10: "Pale lime-green shades announces the freshness of this wine. Gentle peach and nutty scents lends appeal. Well balanced, with soft wood flavours make this a friendly and easy drinking Chardonnay. Will complement smoked Salmon, oysters, grilled fish, veal and small game birds.
  
• GOLDEN KAAN 2004 Shiraz, Western Cape $10: "This varietal is grown in a number of countries around the world and is also known in Europe as Syrah.   The wine's bouquet suggests ripe berries with spicy flavours. The well integrated tannins make for easy drinking. A fine wine for classic roasts, great steaks and venison and soft cheeses.                 ____________________________________________________________________________