Your June 2023 Club Wines
2019 Folly of the Beast, Chardonnay
About the Producer: They take the name from the great Moby Dick quote “For there is no folly of the beast of the earth that is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men.” Folly of the Beast Chardonnay is the product of meticulous winemaking and a continuation of the winemaker’s mission to deliver great Chardonnay at an affordable price.
About the Wine: The wine is aged in 30% French oak to enhance delicious notes of apple, lemon rind, and vanilla. Organically farmed and hand-harvested in California’s Central Coast. Vegan, low sulfites, low sugar, low carb.
Tasting Notes: Well-balanced and elegant, this wine has all the beloved elements of a California chardonnay. Serve around 60º with charcuterie, cheeses, light pastas, salads, or grilled chicken.
2021 Combel le Serre, Pur Fruit du Causse Cahors Malbec
The Cahors wine region is in Southwest France, just 100 miles east of Bordeaux, and it is the only appellation in South West France that produces red wine without Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc in its blend. In early 1956, almost all vines were wiped out by frost that required replanting, the majority of which was Malbec.
About the Producer: Combel is the name of the plot where the winemakers Julien & Sophie Ilbert live, and where the vines are planted. La Serre is the name of the land across the street where all the agricultural and winery buildings are. Together they create Combel-la-Serre, a 56 acre estate located 10 miles from Cahors on the limestone plateaus.
About the Wine: Selection of the best Malbec grapes from the limestone Causse on mainly clay-limestone soils. Traditional 14-day maceration in stainless steel and cement vats. The aging lasts 1 winter on fine lees and is done in vats only. Quick bottling to preserve freshness.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of concentrated blueberry, licorice, cassis, with green herbs and a hint of coca on the finish. The palate adds red cherry, raspberry, red fruits, earthy, leathery tones with hints of smoke, mineral and stone mid palate. Refreshing acidity balanced by soft tannins and a long finish.
Food Pairing: Serve at 65º. Excellent with lighter cuts of beef, cassoulet, mushrooms, roast duck, duck confit, roast lamb, roast pork, mild blue cheese, short ribs, couscous, and turkey.
2021 High Note, Uco Valley Malbec
About the Producer: Altitude is everything. High Note hails from the foothills of the Andes mountain range, where altitude is essential in providing our vineyards with the perfect combination of intense sunlight and cool temperatures.
Crafted in the Vista del Sur winery by renowned winemaker Leopoldo Kuschnaroff, High Note wines offer high altitude and high quality wines at an exceptional value. Located high in the Andes foothills of Argentina’s famed Uco Valley of Mendoza, Vista del Sur is a state-of-the-art winery. Its vineyards are among the highest in the world, ranging in altitude from 3,300 to 5,000 feet. Here the grapes enjoy the perfect combination of growing elements; intense desert sunlight contrasting with cool nightly temperatures. Low humidity and dry, sandy soil with excellent drainage provides the fruit with a slow and balanced ripening cycle, resulting in balanced acidity and concentrated flavors. These conditions also protect the vines against disease and provide a long, dry season for low yields of small grapes, concentrated in flavor, color and tannins.
Leopoldo Kuschnaroff hails from a family of farmers, born of Ukrainian immigrants to Argentina. A true son of the Mendoza wine region, he graduated trade school with a degree in winemaking in 1999, followed by a master’s degree in viticulture from the prestigious Cuyo University. His prime philosophy and goal as a winemaker is to make wines reflective of the terroir, a challenge which enables him to experiment with the different microclimates of the Uco Valley, perfecting wine that is truly representative of this region.
About the Wine: 92% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Grapes are sourced from five vineyards with sandy loam soils, ranging in elevation 3,300 – 5,000
feet above sea level. Fermented in stainless steel for 12 days, then macerated for 12 days with a combination of punch downs and pump overs. Aged for 9 months in French and American oak, then aged an additional 4 months in the bottle before leaving the winery.
Tasting notes: This one really overdelivers for the price. Aromas of ripe red fruits with hints of spices and violets. The palate opens with notes of plum marmalade and gives way to hints of vanilla. Round tannins lead into a ripe fruit finish.
Pair with grilled meats, complementing rich smoky flavors with the wine’s ripe juicy profile. Also pairs well with grilled or roasted vegetables, pasta dishes and rich sauces. Serve around 65º.