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Hi, there is a fellow who just moved his wine-selling practice from up my way down to Decatur. One of the things he did out here was have a monthly wine club (no membership fee) where he selects 6 bottles every month and sells it for $60 (I believe). One of the benefits for me was the tasting and pairing notes he sends out via email and packages with the 6-pack. Anyway, here is his most recent e-mail, I'd highly recommend checking him out or getting on the mailing list.
-Brad
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DECATURWINE@aol.com
Herb's Half Case Wine Club - Nov. 2003 Decatur Package Store
It's good to be back! After tasting and filling the new store (I've more than doubled wine facings) and helping with the Decatur Wine Festival it's time to get back to business. I've had four months to determine the selections for November and I've managed to coerce some very nice wines from my distributors. In honor of turkey day I've selected two wonderful choices, a Monterey Pinot Noir and a Sonoma Chardonnay. I've also included a Cabernet that you will absolutely love. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Herb
P.S. - I want to quickly comment about the changes in the wine market since my last editorial in 2002. Wow! Prices are dropping and quality is rising at every level. The savvy consumer can find some real bargains right now. In fact, although I can't use it in the Club since it's been used before, the 2001 Kenwood Russian River Pinot Noir is drinking great. The 2000 was a bit thin, but the 2001 is a super value - raspberry fruit, hint of smoke and earth, and great balance and concentration. At $13.99 it's a great deal, but I'm sending out an email special (you'll receive the memo shortly explaining this new feature - Herb's Bimonthly Email Special) with a killer price that will run through the end of the month.
" If you would like to be added to or, heaven forbid, removed from my e-mail list or to learn more about Herb's Half Case Wine Club please e-mail me at DECATURWINE@AOL.COM or call me at 404-633-5250.
" Wine appreciation is about getting people excited about wine, so feel free to forward this newsletter as you wish.
" Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are unhappy with a wine return at least 75% of the unused portion and I will be more than happy to replace the wine.
" As always, any defective bottles (i.e. corked, oxidized, etc.) will be replaced with bottles of the same type.
If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.
Herb's Half Case Wine Club - Nov. 2003 Decatur Package Store
2000 Robert Stemmler Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
Tasting Notes: This one's a real treat for the Club. I had this at a restaurant and loved it. My distributor had a special on the last of the 2000 and I loved it even more. The best way to describe this wine is well-balanced and a real steal for the Wine Club. It has good concentration of flavor with light tropical fruits, a hint of lemon, and just the right amount of oak. This wine is fuller bodied and has an elegant and lengthy finish. This wine isn't one of those "smash-you-over-the-head" overindulgent Calif. Chard's and I like that. Overall, it's a great wine and a great exclusive for the Wine Club.
Food Pairing: This is your white wine selection for Thanksgiving dinner. I chose this over the French Macon because it has the flavor and acid to compete with the multitude of flavors found in this meal. A typical flabby Calif. Chard. couldn't stand up to this meal, but this choice can.
2001 Mommessin Macon-Villages Old Vines (Burgundy, France)
Tasting Notes: This Chardonnay from Burgundy is the yang to the yin from Stemmler. It's a great contrast to the "Calif. style" and I chose this example because it's a drier styled Macon. Increasingly I'm finding under $10 French whites too much like Calif. Chard. The appeal of the less expensive Burgundy regions is their austerity (i.e. not as ripe fruit) and ability to pair with food because it has higher acidity. This example has bright lemon aromas, which continue on the palate. It has a hint of chalk on the finish and it's crisp and dry without being overwhelmingly acidic.
Food Pairing: This is a great food wine because it has the acid balance to stand up to many richer foods. It doesn't have the flavor to complement anything too heavy so try heartier fowl or lighter meats such as pork. Also this will work with richer sauces as well.
2000 Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot (Washington)
Tasting Notes: This was one of the first wines I tasted when I returned to retail where I noticed a significant improvement in wines under $7. When I tasted the rest of their portfolio I noticed a significant improvement from Washington State as well, especially with Merlot. This wine is the exact opposite of every under $7 wine I was used to tasting. This example has clean, ripe, red berry fruit with some body to it. At this price it has no oak and isn't very full-bodied, but it's definitely something you can use as your everyday wine and serve to a crowd without hesitation. To top it off, it has a lengthy red berry finish. Overall, a great value.
Food Pairings: This is a very versatile food wine since its medium-bodied and fruit forward. It's an everyday drinking wine, so use it with everyday meals - chili (not too spicy), pizza, chicken, pork chops, etc.
Herb's Half Case Wine Club - Nov. 2003 Decatur Package Store
2001 Jindalee Shiraz (Australia)
Tasting Notes: Here's why Australia is kicking California's rear end in the under $10 category. Australia is exporting clean, full-flavored wines that aren't full-bodied. This user friendly example has juicy dark berry fruit with a touch of white pepper commonly found in this varietal. It has little tannins yet has enough body to appease the intermediate wine drinker. It's a great everyday drinker.
Food Pairings: Try this with any type of meat, but nothing too heavy since it's an everyday drinking styled wine with little tannins. I find the white pepper works well with gamier meats as well.
2001 Paraiso Pinot Noir (Monterey County)
Tasting Notes: Two wonderful events have happened in the world of Pinot Noir: 1.) Prices have stabilized and even decreased in the $20 and under range, and 2.) 2001 seems to be a great year for Pinot Noir from the examples I've tried. Lower prices and higher quality - pinch me I must be dreaming. This is a great example because it reflects the trend towards elegance in Pinot Noir - less smoke and earth flavors and more pure raspberry fruit which is an aphrodisiac to Pinot lovers. This Monterey Pinot Noir has soft raspberry fruit flavors and a round middle with just a hint of smoke. It's medium-bodied and has a nice finish. It has great balance and really showcases the fruit.
Food Pairings: This is the red selection for Thanksgiving. The uniqueness of the flavors found in Pinot Noir always pairs nicely with the many different flavors of the Thanksgiving meal. Pinot Noir is a versatile food wine and can pair with almost any medium-bodied meat or fowl.
1999 Deloach Cab. Sauv. Los Amigos Ranch (Russian River)
Tasting Notes: My distributor recently ran a special on this wine and I grabbed it for the Club. I remember how great the 1997 was at about $23, so I couldn't pass on this wine. The '99 is a wonderfully balanced wine. It has pleasant berry aromas with a touch of wood that's followed by concentrated, mouth filling, ripe, dark berry fruit flavors with very light herbaceous flavors in the background. It's medium-bodied with medium-dry tannins on the finish. The finish is a good mix of cedar and fresh berry fruit flavors and is surprisingly lengthy. Overall, a great Cab. that's ready to drink now.
Food Pairings: Pair this with heavier meats. That steak you've been waiting to grill will go quite nicely with this wine. All heavy meats will work with this one. This wine has enough body and tannin to stand up to these heavier foods.
-Brad
-------------------------------------------
DECATURWINE@aol.com
Herb's Half Case Wine Club - Nov. 2003 Decatur Package Store
It's good to be back! After tasting and filling the new store (I've more than doubled wine facings) and helping with the Decatur Wine Festival it's time to get back to business. I've had four months to determine the selections for November and I've managed to coerce some very nice wines from my distributors. In honor of turkey day I've selected two wonderful choices, a Monterey Pinot Noir and a Sonoma Chardonnay. I've also included a Cabernet that you will absolutely love. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Herb
P.S. - I want to quickly comment about the changes in the wine market since my last editorial in 2002. Wow! Prices are dropping and quality is rising at every level. The savvy consumer can find some real bargains right now. In fact, although I can't use it in the Club since it's been used before, the 2001 Kenwood Russian River Pinot Noir is drinking great. The 2000 was a bit thin, but the 2001 is a super value - raspberry fruit, hint of smoke and earth, and great balance and concentration. At $13.99 it's a great deal, but I'm sending out an email special (you'll receive the memo shortly explaining this new feature - Herb's Bimonthly Email Special) with a killer price that will run through the end of the month.
" If you would like to be added to or, heaven forbid, removed from my e-mail list or to learn more about Herb's Half Case Wine Club please e-mail me at DECATURWINE@AOL.COM or call me at 404-633-5250.
" Wine appreciation is about getting people excited about wine, so feel free to forward this newsletter as you wish.
" Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are unhappy with a wine return at least 75% of the unused portion and I will be more than happy to replace the wine.
" As always, any defective bottles (i.e. corked, oxidized, etc.) will be replaced with bottles of the same type.
If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.
Herb's Half Case Wine Club - Nov. 2003 Decatur Package Store
2000 Robert Stemmler Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
Tasting Notes: This one's a real treat for the Club. I had this at a restaurant and loved it. My distributor had a special on the last of the 2000 and I loved it even more. The best way to describe this wine is well-balanced and a real steal for the Wine Club. It has good concentration of flavor with light tropical fruits, a hint of lemon, and just the right amount of oak. This wine is fuller bodied and has an elegant and lengthy finish. This wine isn't one of those "smash-you-over-the-head" overindulgent Calif. Chard's and I like that. Overall, it's a great wine and a great exclusive for the Wine Club.
Food Pairing: This is your white wine selection for Thanksgiving dinner. I chose this over the French Macon because it has the flavor and acid to compete with the multitude of flavors found in this meal. A typical flabby Calif. Chard. couldn't stand up to this meal, but this choice can.
2001 Mommessin Macon-Villages Old Vines (Burgundy, France)
Tasting Notes: This Chardonnay from Burgundy is the yang to the yin from Stemmler. It's a great contrast to the "Calif. style" and I chose this example because it's a drier styled Macon. Increasingly I'm finding under $10 French whites too much like Calif. Chard. The appeal of the less expensive Burgundy regions is their austerity (i.e. not as ripe fruit) and ability to pair with food because it has higher acidity. This example has bright lemon aromas, which continue on the palate. It has a hint of chalk on the finish and it's crisp and dry without being overwhelmingly acidic.
Food Pairing: This is a great food wine because it has the acid balance to stand up to many richer foods. It doesn't have the flavor to complement anything too heavy so try heartier fowl or lighter meats such as pork. Also this will work with richer sauces as well.
2000 Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot (Washington)
Tasting Notes: This was one of the first wines I tasted when I returned to retail where I noticed a significant improvement in wines under $7. When I tasted the rest of their portfolio I noticed a significant improvement from Washington State as well, especially with Merlot. This wine is the exact opposite of every under $7 wine I was used to tasting. This example has clean, ripe, red berry fruit with some body to it. At this price it has no oak and isn't very full-bodied, but it's definitely something you can use as your everyday wine and serve to a crowd without hesitation. To top it off, it has a lengthy red berry finish. Overall, a great value.
Food Pairings: This is a very versatile food wine since its medium-bodied and fruit forward. It's an everyday drinking wine, so use it with everyday meals - chili (not too spicy), pizza, chicken, pork chops, etc.
Herb's Half Case Wine Club - Nov. 2003 Decatur Package Store
2001 Jindalee Shiraz (Australia)
Tasting Notes: Here's why Australia is kicking California's rear end in the under $10 category. Australia is exporting clean, full-flavored wines that aren't full-bodied. This user friendly example has juicy dark berry fruit with a touch of white pepper commonly found in this varietal. It has little tannins yet has enough body to appease the intermediate wine drinker. It's a great everyday drinker.
Food Pairings: Try this with any type of meat, but nothing too heavy since it's an everyday drinking styled wine with little tannins. I find the white pepper works well with gamier meats as well.
2001 Paraiso Pinot Noir (Monterey County)
Tasting Notes: Two wonderful events have happened in the world of Pinot Noir: 1.) Prices have stabilized and even decreased in the $20 and under range, and 2.) 2001 seems to be a great year for Pinot Noir from the examples I've tried. Lower prices and higher quality - pinch me I must be dreaming. This is a great example because it reflects the trend towards elegance in Pinot Noir - less smoke and earth flavors and more pure raspberry fruit which is an aphrodisiac to Pinot lovers. This Monterey Pinot Noir has soft raspberry fruit flavors and a round middle with just a hint of smoke. It's medium-bodied and has a nice finish. It has great balance and really showcases the fruit.
Food Pairings: This is the red selection for Thanksgiving. The uniqueness of the flavors found in Pinot Noir always pairs nicely with the many different flavors of the Thanksgiving meal. Pinot Noir is a versatile food wine and can pair with almost any medium-bodied meat or fowl.
1999 Deloach Cab. Sauv. Los Amigos Ranch (Russian River)
Tasting Notes: My distributor recently ran a special on this wine and I grabbed it for the Club. I remember how great the 1997 was at about $23, so I couldn't pass on this wine. The '99 is a wonderfully balanced wine. It has pleasant berry aromas with a touch of wood that's followed by concentrated, mouth filling, ripe, dark berry fruit flavors with very light herbaceous flavors in the background. It's medium-bodied with medium-dry tannins on the finish. The finish is a good mix of cedar and fresh berry fruit flavors and is surprisingly lengthy. Overall, a great Cab. that's ready to drink now.
Food Pairings: Pair this with heavier meats. That steak you've been waiting to grill will go quite nicely with this wine. All heavy meats will work with this one. This wine has enough body and tannin to stand up to these heavier foods.
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