Lamb | Wine of the Month Club's Ultimate Wine-pedia

Import Selection: Aglianico Del Vulture, 1985. D’Angelo

August 29, 2016

As the French have their noble grapes of the respective regions, so do the Italians. In Bordeaux France, for instance, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot are the noble grapes. In Italy, the three noble vines are Nebbiolo (responsible for Barolo and Barberesco etc.), Sangiovese (responsible for Chianti and Brunello di Montelcino… read more »

Domestic Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1989. Sunridge

August 29, 2016

When is a second label not a second label? This selection provides the answer. The exalted Mt. Veeder appellation, where this wine comes from, is home to a constellation of star-quality Napa wineries: The Hess Collection, Mayacamas, Mt. Veeder and Chateau Potelle. Sunridge Cabernet Sauvignon is actually the product of the Chateau Potelle estate winery,… read more »

Import Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1990. San Jose De Santiago

August 29, 2016

The San José de Santiago brand is a brainstorm operation based on the high quality grapes of Chile’s Pacific coast. You have, no doubt, seen and/or enjoyed the excellent fruits that arrive during our winter in North America from Chile. I have been relishing these treats since childhood. The green grocers in my family used… read more »

Import Selection: Merlot, 1990. Vina Del Mar

August 29, 2016

In 1987, with their eyes focused north on the U.S.A., an already very successful Chilean wine company created the Villa del Mar brand. The Mitjans family had been producing wine from French grape varieties transplanted to Chile’s fertile farmlands for over seventy years. Their Viña Valdivieso line, besides including excellent table wines, featured Chile’s largest… read more »

Import Selection: Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, 1991. Hardys

August 29, 2016

Hardys is Australia’s second largest wine producer. The company dates back to 1953, when Thomas Hardy, just 23 years old, founded Bankside Cellars, three miles from Adelaide in the then “Colony of South Australia”. Exhibiting a pioneering spirit, an excellent head for business and a natural flair for wine making, the energetic young man from… read more »

Domestic Selection: Pinot Noir, 1988. Paraiso Springs

August 26, 2016

Paraiso Hot Springs are situated in the Santa Lucia foothills, 40 minutes south of Salinas in Northern California’s Monterey County. While establishing the Soledad Mission, Franciscan padres used the springs’ curative waters for healing purposes. The monks also planted early vineyards there. Two hundred years later (1973), current owner Richard Smith planted modern vineyards, eleven… read more »

Import Selection: Cotes du Ventoux, 1990. Jaboulet Aine

August 26, 2016

“I do not think that Gerard Jaboulet has ever made greater wine than he has in 1990…a new quality threshold has been attained…” Robert Parker Jr. When we tasted this wine, we had to agree. Paul Jaboulet Aine is another family owned winery. They have achieved the dual distinction of being not only one of… read more »

Domestic Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1988. Lone Oak

August 25, 2016

In 1974, the Smith horse ranch and the Hook cattle ranch were converted into vineyards. A good 250 acres of vines were planted there, split between Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Thus was the Smith and Hook Estate created as a Cabernet Sauvignon “chateau”. Our selection comes from the Lone Oak Estate, a separate… read more »

Import Selection: Chianti, 1990. Melini Borghi D’Elsa

August 25, 2016

Founded in 1705, the Melini winery owns 225 acres of vineyards in Tuscany, home to many of Italy’s finest red wines. Melini stands as one of the top four producers in the renowned Chianti region there. This wine gets its name for the villages (borghi) along the River Elsa and comes from their modern facility… read more »

Domestic Selection: Mourvedre, 1988. Francal

August 23, 2016

If you have been with us for about a year, you will remember Cask One Sauvignon Blanc (#291A). Well, the same people who make Cask One make Fran-cal. There is, in fact, no Francal Winery or Cask One Winery (or Plume Ridge Winery, for that matter, recalling last month’s Chardonnay, #291A…different producer, though). To make… read more »