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How
quickly the political and social landscape can change. Since
our last shipment, we've seen war in Iraq and a backlash against
our wine - loving French and German compatriots. However, one
thing always remains constant, the ability of fermented grape
juice to transcend politics and bring people together. Enoteca
Della Santina is definitely not boycotting these regions. The
wines are simply too good and too cheap. In any case, life is
too short to drink bad wine.
This month's shipment will consist of six wines, five reds and
one white. We've returned to the heart of wine country (we're
not biased at all!!) with three reds from Italy, two Tuscan classics,
completely different in styles and one Merlot from Friuli. France
brings us a white from the northern, trendy region of Alsace
as well as a sumptuous red from the Rhone, which by the way is
our current favorite. Lastly, California Syrah explodes onto
the scene with this silky, sexy drink from the Russian River
region of Sonoma. We would like to welcome all of our new members
and remind everyone that wine is only as good as the people you
share it with.
Before
we sign off, here are some important club notes, especially for
our new members:
*We would love to hear your feedback on the wines and the club
either through e-mail at ndellasantina@mindspring.com, fax:707-933-0737,
or phone: 707-935-7613 , and Rob's cell phone, 707-529-0158.
*The schedule for shipping this year will be as follows: the
months of February, April, June, October (double shipment due
to the heat of the summer) and December. The only variations
in shipping will be due to weather conditions (too cold or too
hot…we don't want you to have frozen or boiling wine).
Please feel free to inquire about any of the wines.
*Please let us know if your shipping address changes. There
will be an additional cost incurred for any address changes that
are made after shipping.
*And don't forget about our special offer of10% off for every
new member referral!
Salute
e Buona Fortuna!!
Robert and Nicole Della Santina and J. Thaddeus Brennan
Pesanella
"Super Tuscan," Castello Di Monterinaldi, Tuscany 1993
- $15
Ciao Bello!! No that's not a typo!! This really is a ten -
year-old super Tuscan wine for only fifteen dollars. Pesanella
is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cannaiolo grapes.
Moreover, the blend is not formulaic, instead, as with regional
or estate blends, it is based upon what the winemaker seeks to
show in an individual wine. The wine is produced in limited
quantities from 100% estate grown fruit from Radda in Chianti.
The vineyard is on a moderately high (1,600 ft.) southwestern
facing slope where yields are strictly limited. Interestingly,
the soil is composed of marl and limestone over a rocky sub -
strata, thus enhancing the concentration of fruit by stressing
the vines.
The wine itself exhibits a distinctive garnet color with the
beginnings of brick color at the edges, an indication of an older
or mature wine. Initially, the wine is a bit shy in the nose
revealing hints of raspberries, cherries and violets. Moreover,
flavors are initially tart with firm, dusty tannins and intense
acidity. However, after a bit of oxygenation, darker, riper
cherry aromas are prevalent along with hints of mineral and leather.
The tannins soften a bit and the wine develops a more pleasing
mouth - feel.
When we mention oxygenation of the wine, it simply means that
the wine has to be exposed to air and thus it must be decanted
prior to drinking. Open the bottle and dump it violently into
a decanter, pitcher, dog bowl!! It just doesn't matter. What
does matter is the fact that this wine will begin to evolve about
an hour to two after the wine is decanted. This wine is perfect
for roasted meats, strong cheeses and tomato - based sauce. Enjoy
and Salute!!
Merlot,
Ronchi Di Manzano, Friuli, Italy 1997 - $6
Once again, there is no misprint or number missing. That is
a mere six dollars for a '97 vintage wine from Italy. Proprietor
Roberta Borghese continues to produce impressive wines from the
northeast corner of Italy. In fact, the current 2000 and 2001
vintages have received rave reviews from the likes of Robert
Parker who concedes that the wines are "among the finest
being produced in Friuli."
The wine itself boasts a peppery nose and medium body with hints
of cola, berry fruit and mocha. Furthermore, because of the
cool climate in the region, there is a slight green or vegetal
nose that results from a lack of ripeness in the fruit. Even
with this slight imperfection, the wines value is simply amazing.
The elegance, balanced acidity and finish of this wine are stunning
and exemplify qualities seen in higher priced wines. Pop it
and drink it with tomato-based sauces or various cheeses.
Salute!!
Rosso
Di Savona, Sassotondo, Maremma, Tuscany 1999 - $16
Simply a great drink. This is exactly what the club is looking
for in a wine. Sassotondo or "round stone" is the
creation of viticulturalist Carla Benini and her husband, Eduardo
Ventimiglia whom purchased and restored the property in 1997.
Managed as an organic farm, Sassotondo has 72 hectares in Maremma,
Toscana, where the cultivation of the olive and the grape are
side by side with the extensive pastures and woods. Because
of the proximity to the Bolsena volcanic basin, the soil is comprised
of volcanic compressed sandstone called tuffo, which is known
to provide great elegance in wine.
The wine itself is a combination of 80% Ciliegiolo and 20% Alicante.
The latter varietal, also known as Grenache, was imported into
Tuscany centuries ago during the Loreno period. Ciliegiolo,
on the other hand, was a variety planted throughout all Tuscan
vineyards. Recently, however, these fascinating vines have
been ripped out because of their unreliable maturing pattern
and susceptibility to disease.
These two grapes create an untypical Italian wine that is supposedly
100% stainless steel fermented. The nose of this wine is loaded
with pepper notes, bright cherry fruit, anise and plum. It has
a beautiful mouth feel with a great mid palate followed by a
soft round finish with ripe tannins. Furthermore, because the
wine is unfiltered, sediment is noticeable at the bottom of the
bottle. Decant it if you like and drink it right away. Pair
it with roasted game, beef or wild mushrooms. Enjoy!!
Riesling, "Vin D'Alsace," Wunsch et Mann, France 2001
- $12
Hey this doesn't taste like my buttery, oaky, glycerin - like
Chardonnay. Welcome to a whole new world of white wine, one
that completely reflects the terroir or dirt from which it comes.
As Parker noted, "Riesling is the ultimate terroir wine…fresh,
zesty, lively wines that express the rocky slopes and slate cliffs
from which they emerge. They have a distinctive sweet/sour component
that wine lovers either crave or are unable to appreciate."
The first mention of vineyards in the area of Alsace dates all
the way back to the 9th century. The Wunsches and the Manns
were originally separate wine producers. Indeed, they were bitter
rivals in the region until 1948 when the two families had a storybook
reconciliation, resulting in the company that bears their name.
The wine itself is a warm weather or summer wine. As Parker
notes, "Riesling is the only wine I know that tastes even
better when served outdoors." Aromatically shy, the wine
delivers on the palate, revealing mineral - laden, creamy almond,
hazelnut and tangy lemon flavors in its light to medium - bodied
character. It's fresh, flavorful and has a terrific mouth feel.
Drink it with shellfish, fruit and cheese or sushi. Salute!!
Gigondas,
"Les Espalines," Patrick Lesec Selections, France 2000
- $18
Welcome back to our favorite region for quality and value wines,
the Rhone region of France. I would like to note that the Patrick
Le Sec 2000 Chateauneuf Du Pape from our previous release received
91points in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. Wine broker Patrick
Lesec sources some incredible juice, which he gives state of
the art, non - interventionalistic upbringing. The wines he
purchases are moved gently from the estates and cooperatives,
generally put in tank or barrel, given little SO2, no racking
and are bottled without fining and filtration. In short, he's
one of the best negociants in the business.
The wine, a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Mouvedre, was aged
in equal parts barrel (20% new) and old wood foudres. The Mouvedre
undergoes carbonic maceration, which gives the wine more fruit
without the ferocious tannin it can sometimes impart. The wine
exhibits peppery, mineral, blackberry, blueberry and currant
aromas. Furthermore, this Gigondas is full - bodied and ripe
with good underlying acid and sweet tannin. Enjoy this wine
as we did one rainy night with lamb or beef stew.
Syrah,
Lauterbach Cellars, Russian River, Sonoma 2000 - $32
Wow!! We're definitely not in France anymore. The ripeness
and concentration of the fruit can only come from beautiful,
warm, sunny California. This is only the second wine we've selected
from the United States. But as we mentioned in last month's
newsletter, value wines are slowly beginning to reveal themselves
even in the over - priced market of California wines.
The estate vineyard of Lauterbach Cellars is located in the heart
of Sonoma County's Russian River appellation. Stew and Barb
Lauterbach purchased the fifteen-acre parcel in 1992. Land preparation
began in 1995 and 7.8 acres of Pinot Noir as well as 3 acres
of Syrah were planted in 1996. The small size of this estate
creates a unique situation for our club members, access to a
small unknown, boutique winery. Furthermore, only three barrels
of Syrah were made for the 2000 vintage. The ink - like wine
is loaded with flavors of ripe blackberries, blueberries and
pepper spices. Cedar notes are prevalent from the French oak
but the wine has an incredible mouth feel, wonderful mid - palate
and a perfect acid structure. Drink this wine with red meat
or a rack of lamb. It's a monster!
Re - Order Form
Wine
4 bottles 6 bottles case
Pesanella "Super Tuscan," Castello Di Monterinaldi,
Tuscany 1993 - $15
Merlot, Ronchi Di Manzano, Friuli, Italy 1997 - $6
Rosso Di Savona, Sassotondo, Maremma, Tuscany 1999 - $16
Riesling, "Vin D'Alsace," Wunsch et Mann, France 2001
- $12
Gigondas, "Les Espalines," Patrick Lesec Selections,
France 2000 - $18
Syrah, Lauterbach Cellars, Russian River, Sonoma 2000 - $32
Red Bordeaux, Chateau Cantenac Brown, Margaux, France 1999 -
$25
Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, Mak, Coonawarra, Australia 2000 -
$17
Rosso Di Montalcino, La Palazzetta, Flavio Fanti, Tuscany 2000
- $24
Tikal, Corazon, Argentina 2001 - $24
San Vincenzo, Roberto Anselmi, Veneto - 2001 $9
Rivola, Abadia Reduerta, Sardon de Duero, Spain 2001 - $14
Celebre, Ata Rangi, Martinborough, New Zealand 1999 - $29
Cabernet Sauvignon, Atalon, Napa 1999 - $25
Marquis, Chateauneuf Du Pape, France 2000 - $16
Joseph's Hat, Ashanti, South Africa, 2000 - $15
Brentino, Maculan, Veneto 2000 - $14
Pinot Bianco, Torre Rosazza, Veneto - $18
Ribera Del Duero, Valderiz, Spain 1998 - $22
Pinot Grigio, Montresor, Verona 2001 - $11
Merlot, Villa Pillo, Tuscany 1997 - $14
Chateau Camou, Baja, Mexico 1998 - $32
Dolcetto, G.D. Vajra, Barolo 2000 - $16
Cote Du Rhone, Renjarde, France 2000 - $11
Salitage, Australia, 1999 - $17
Tormaresca, Antinori, Puglia 2000 $10
Rasteau, Mistral, France 1998 $14
Malbec, Santa Julia, Argentina 2000 $10
Mapemma, Argentina 2000 $31
Cabernet Sauvignon, Greystone, Australia 1999 $17
Palazzo Della Torre, Allegrini, 1999 $17
Vina Alarba Grenache 2002 $8
Ben Marco Malbec 1999 $20
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