October 2022 GOLD Tier Wine Club

OLD WORLD VS. NEW WORLD

2016 Château Lynch Bages Pauillac ‘Grand Cru Classe’

From 1945 onwards, the fame of Chateau Lynch Bages - a 5th growth from the 1855 classification - emerged thanks to a series of great vintages. Some vintages despite being considered difficult in Bordeaux, are particularly successful at Lynch-Bages. His wines are characterized by their deep color, their tannic structure, their controlled concentration and elegant sensuality. The vintages vinified by André Cazes, and after him Jean-Michel and Jean-Charles Cazes, confirm this trend.   

This magnificent specimen displays a garnet red color.  The nose is very expressive with notes of dark fruit (blackcurrant, Morello cherry, etc.) mixed with fresh touches of mint. The attack is smooth, revealing an exceptional substance, supported by a wonderful freshness. The tannins are already remarkably well-blended.  It is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Robert Parker, James Suckling, and Wine Spectator all rate this wine 97 points!

2019 Sinegal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

Sinegal Estate is right in the heart of Napa Valley, at the base of the gorgeous Mayacamas Range, a few minutes outside of St. Helena.  Known historically as The Inglewood Estate, this 30-acre retreat is one of Napa’s oldest and most coveted. 

Winemaker Ryan Knoth whose prior experience was with David Abreau, Michel Rolland, and Frederick Johansson at Staglin Family Vineyard, has been with Sinegal since its infancy in 2013.  He has the pleasure of working with a rich tradition started by Alton Williams who planted the first vines on the property in 1881.  

Sinegal’s 2018 Cabernet is a wonderful expression of a superb Napa Valley vintage, exhibiting elegance, power, and purity. The nose has enticing aromas of baked blueberry crumble, ripe blackberries, with notes of sweet leather and baking spice. The wine is inky dark and concentrated with flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, and hints of dried thyme. The wine leaves a lasting impression on the palate with supple tannins, rich blue fruits, and has lift and length from the bright acidity. Upon opening the wine delivers impressive aromas, flavors, and texture, but is worthy of aging for over a decade.

2019 Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru ‘Les Blanchots’, Burgundy, France

The Chablis region of northern Burgundy sits on the same swatch of Kimmerdigian limestone that its Loire Valley neighbor of Sancerre is on to the east.   It is one of the greatest terroirs in the modern world.   What makes Sauvignon Blanc in the Loire “pop” is also on display here.   You’ll also find that Chardonnay from this region are of the highest mineral content and brightest acidity you’ll come across.  Oyster? Shellfish? Check!

Les Blanchots Grand Cru is a unique terroir made of a layer of white clay on Kimmeridgian limestone with ammonites. This is the ideal combination to keep the right amount of water for roots. The South-East exposure allows slow ripening and favors aroma development. Blanchots is delicate, silky, and shows its charm after 5 years in bottle. It can even age for another ten years after.  

2019 Chev Russian River Chardonnay, Sonoma, California

After 23 years of running the Kosta-Browne winery, which produced some of California’s most highly sought after Chardonnays, Michael Browne, brings you Chev: the focus is to produce one wine from a variety of sources to showcase the very best of a vintage. 

This gorgeous expression of Chardonnay sees 14 months in 20% new French oak, 28% used French oak, 10 months aged in concrete egg and amphora, then is split evenly between used French oak and stainless steel.   The nose displays Bartlett pear, apricot tart, orange blossoms and crushed slate.   The palate graces you with fresh papaya, sliced apricot and light creme caramel accented with freshly grated nutmeg.  An opulent texture is balanced by lively acidity, with a creamy, mineraly finish with hints of bright citrus at the end.