Categories
Tastings

January Blind Tasting

Burgey-Cerdon, LA Cueille: The Bugey is one of t he best-kept secrets of France. A geographical crossroads between Savoie, the Jura, Burgundy, and the Rhône, this small region encompasses the mountainous eastern half of the Ain département. (Kermit Lynch)

2019 Marsannay, Sylvain Pataille: Marsannay Rouge  is a concentrated wine with a lot of intensity that will make it a wine to keep. On the nose, the wine opens with aromas of red fruits such as strawberries, raspberries or even cherries. The palate is medium bodied with bold tannins, also leaving a spicy side to reveal all its complexity and richness. (Vine Neuvo)

2004 Beni Di- Batasiolo Barolo, 100%Nebbiolo Monforte d’Alba: This base Barolo from the folks at Batasiolo (one of the area’s biggest producers) offers a classic view of the Nebbiolo grape. The wine is seeped in traditional aromas of Spanish cedar, pencil shaving, red currant and black licorice. It’s bright and lively in the mouth with crisp acidity and raw fruit flavors. (Wine Enthusiast)

2006 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva:           ” Lush, powerful, subtle with hints of oak, ripe dark fruits. Great tannic structure after 6 hour breathing. Drink now or hold 10 more years”  (Wesley Castellanos)

2013 La Petite Chapelle Hermitage: A much more structured, even austere, Hermitage than the La Petite Chapelle release, the 2013 Hermitage la Chapelle came from minuscule yields of ten to 18 hectoliters per hectare and was aged 15-18 months in 20% new French oak. Not harvested until the 12th of October, it offers a sensational bouquet of blackberry and black raspberry fruits, powdered rock, gunpowder and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with good (though maybe not great) levels of concentration, it has high, yet beautifully polished tannin, integrated acidity, and terrific cut and focus on the finish. Give bottles 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following two decades. (Robert Parker)

2015 ANDREMILY: The 2015 No 4 is composed of 90% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre and 6% Viognier and saw 35% whole cluster, while spending around 22 months in French oak (70% new). Sporting a very deep purple-black color, it reveals vibrant black currants, blackberries and mulberries notes plus touches of sandalwood, espresso, black soil and stewed tea. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and with lovely energy, there is a good firm backbone of grainy tannins supporting the generous fruit, finishing long and savory. (Robert Parker)

2006 Bodegas El Nido Clio: The purple/black 2006 Clio is composed of 70% old vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 26 months in new oak. It offers up a super-sexy nose of underbrush, incense, lavender, blueberry muffin, and black currant. Voluptuous and creamy on the palate, this loaded, well-balanced wine is a total turn-on. For those who prefer their flavor in moderation, look elsewhere. Drink this pleasure-bent effort from 2011 to 2021. Bodegas El Nido employs Aussie vigneron Chris Ringland as its winemaking consultant.(Robert Parker)

Categories
Events Tastings

Wine Club Miami 2022 Annual Event at Orilla Miami Beach

2012 Demiere-Ansiot Blanc De Blanc Grand Cru
Region: Côte des Blancs/ Champagne Grand Cru ‘Oger’ Grapes: Chardonnay “This classic and utterly delicious blanc de blancs spends four years on the lees and offers sexy floral and citrus notes, with a lovely texture and energy.” David Yarus, President, Wine Club Miami

2019 Aubert LaurenVineyard Chardonnay
Region:North Coast / Sonoma County Grapes: Blend of Burgundy old world clones: Montrachet & Corton-Charlemagne (and Wente + MountEden)  “Sea spray, crushed cashews, beeswax and allspice over a core of fresh pineapple, passion fruit, lemon meringue pie and toast.  That combination produces a wine of uncommon elegance. Texturally alone, the Lauren is so distinctive. Pear, lemon confit, chamomile, marzipan and dried flowers all grace the Lauren, a wine that is just off the charts.” David Yarus, President, Wine Club Miami

 

Wine Club Miami Founder, Jeff Tenen offers up a 94′ Vintage Warres Port

2006 Kapcsandy State Lane Magnum    
Region: North Coast /  Napa Valley. Grapes: 48% Cab Sauv, 48% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc. “Displays classic aromas of pain grille espresso roast black currants mocha and chocolate presented in a full-bodied deep textured impressively pure style. The oak is restrained the acidity noticeable but not tart and the tannins substantial but sweet.”  Notice the Family Crest which dates back to the 1730’s.David Yarus, President, Wine Club Miami

2008 La Spinetta Barolo Campe      
Region; Northern Italy / Barolo  Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo. A strong and chewy wine with polished and rich tannins. Cedar and mushrooms. Full and intense. Goes on for minutes. Finish goest to flowers and dried fruits. Powerful yet enjoyable- James Suckling.

 

 

 

Categories
Events Tastings

Miami Beach Tasting at Tropezón

 

512 Española Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139 tropezonmiami.com
Phone: (305) 763-8523

Bodegas Sierra Cantabria, Rioja Cosecha: This 1976 Sierra Cantabria Rioja with nearly fifty years of maturation is an exemplary aged Rioja.  This treasure  has kept both tannins and acidity in the mid range allowing the wine to show off its beautiful texture and lift.  At  the same time its evolution now expresses with profundity the nuances we lovers of old wines admire.  In the case of this bottle, there was bouquet of dried violets, sandalwood, milled herbs, light toast, saddle leather, wet tobacco, mild cherry and plum.  To speak of its range, it stood up very well to tapas as well as medallions of cooked Iberico pork.    This is a stunner of a bottle I soon will not forget.  Thank you @dyarus for sourcing this rare treat for @wineclubmiami recent gathering highlighting all things Espana- Jesus Cabarcos, Wine Club Miami

Terrific paring menu to match exceptional wines.

 

Champagne Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut: Incredible value for a blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir) grower Champagne from the grand cru vineyards of Bouzy. It shows gorgeous aromas of stone fruit, citrus and strawberry, with complex brioche nuances, remarkable balance, ongoing elegance and a rich, refined, persistent finish-Decanter.com

 

 

Categories
Tastings

May Wine Tasting at The Drexel Miami Beach

https://www.drexelmiami.com/



Champagne Saint-Chamat, Blanc de Blancs Millesime “For anyone who respects Champenoise tradition and a luxurious decade-old Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, this extremely limited 2011 is one of the top prized possessions you can own”, as stated, Ian Cauble, Master Sommelier.

Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot Corton The 1976 Pinot Noir was a rare treat for wine club a gift to our president and showcases a terrific rounded finish. At over 46 years old, this is wine lived up to it’s name and was considered our wine of the night. “Sleek and graceful, offering rich and elegant flavors

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia “Ornellaia” Bolgheri Superiore 2012 was a extremely dry yet sound vintage where the awareness of making less extracted and more balanced wine was employed. On the palate this Omellaia is full and powerful with big, creamy tennis balls and chalky, woody finish. (Decanter)

Chateau d’Armailhac 2009 A dark and intense red, Chateau d’Armailhac reveals a rich, beautifully fresh nose that combines ripe red fruit aromas with delicate roasted and vanilla notes. Definitely a great vintage for Chateau d’Armailhac.

Trimbach, “Cute des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre” Gewürztraminer 2011 is a rare bottling comes from one of the most classic and iconic producers in the world of wine. It’s dry, full-bodied, intense, exotic, luxurious. As stated, Ian Cauble, Master Sommelier.

Wine Club Miami Menu Drexel Miami Beach

Categories
Tastings

Prestigious Cali Grand Cru “The Master & The Protégé”

“I wanted to make wines following the classic, artisanal traditions of Burgundy and Bordeaux. The first time I stood on the steep, rocky slopes of Mount St. Helena, I knew we had found the place to do it.”
– Sir Peter Michael

Peter Michael – 2014 Ma Belle Chardonnay The 2014 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille has essentially the same aromatic and flavor profile as well as huge body and concentration that also characterized the 2015, with oodles of caramelized citrus and honeysuckle in its explosive aromatics and intense flavors”.(Robert Parker Wine Advocate)

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Vineyard 2014 The 2014 Lauren Estate Chardonnay is the pinnacle of Aubert’s winemaking efforts. At over 15 years old, this is the first estate vineyard and has hit its stride over the past few vintages and was considered our wine of the night. “Sleek and graceful, offering rich, elegant flavors, with subtle shades of peach, nectarine, honeydew, tangerine and light oak. Impressive for the juicy aftertaste and lingering presence”. (Wine Spectator)

Aubert CIX Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2015Aubert CIX Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2015 Aubert’s first ever Estate Pinot Noir, the CIX is Grand Cru Aubert. This Pinot is the winery’s most reminiscent of red Burgundy. This cooler site in Forestville creates an ethereal, delicate, and elegant wine. “Close to perfection is the 2015 Pinot Noir CIX Estate, which is reminiscent of a great grand cru Burgundy from Northern Côte de Nuit Forest floor, porcini mushrooms, underbrush and loamy soil notes intermixed with hints of black raspberry, cherry and blueberry are followed by a full-bodied wine with 15% natural alcohol and great intensity, making for a prodigious Pinot Noir that should age gracefully for 10-15 years”. (Robert Parker)

Peter Michael Les Pavots While the blend varies from vintage to vintage, it is typically two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remainder roughly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and a final soupçon of Petit Verdot. “This has great density with a firm and silky texture that caresses your palate, giving layers of mouthfeel. It shows so much, yet has subtle grilled meat, black truffles and dark fruits. Sous bois gives a mushroom and cedar character. Long finish”. (James Suckling)

California Grand Cru Master & Protégé

 

Categories
Tastings

Wine Down Under: Australian Wine Tasting

Wine Club President David Yarus setting our tasting of Aussie Reds.

2018 Penfolds – Yattarna Chardonnay:  Just released with extremely high accolades. Penfolds is a super reputable wine maker in Australia. They are known for their Grange line of extremely high quality Shiraz.  However Chardonnay production is relatively new in Australia and doesn’t  have nearly the history or lineage of Shiraz or Semillion. Started Chard in 1995 and dubbed “White Grange” by the Australian media and made front pages of the news paper. 72% from Tasmania, Tumbarumba, and then Adelaide Hills (South Eastern Australia) The word Yattarna is Aboriginal for “Little by little” of Gradually”.  8 months in French Oak.  $150.

2003 Clarendon Hills Astralis:  Southern Australia McLaren Vale. This is Grand Cru Australia Wines planted in the 1920’s showing respect to French style highly regarded wine maker biochemist Roman Bratasiuk. A few different 99 point ratings 19 years old. $245

2010 Velvet Glove: A highly rated wine that is considered rich and intense. Port like with a composition similar to a look of black viscous motor oil. Port like, very henondistic. Caymus Special. $215

2009 Carnival of Love: Sarah & Sparky Marquis – Molly Dooker, passionate about wine, studied wine making, super fun, vibrant, colorful marketing. Created a canopy growing technique where they overgrow the canopy on the vines

Categories
Wineries

Chateau Montelena Celebrates 50 Years!

Our good friends at Chateau Montelena celebrate 50 years under the creative stewardship of the Barrett Family including their epic victory in the ‘Judgement of Paris’ in 1976. Cheers to many more great vintages.

Categories
Events Tastings

2021 Holiday Tasting at Tigre Miami

Tygre Restaurant Miami
Tigre Miami 620 NE 78th St, Miami, FL 33138

2021 Larmandier-Bernier Vielle Vigne du Levant Grand Cru
Varietal: Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs
Region: Champagne, France
Notes: “Bursting with aromas of pear, peach, toasted almonds, white flowers, fresh bread and oyster shell”

2015 Chateau Pommard Hospice Meursault Premier Cru
Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: Meursault, France
Notes: “Fantastic deep honey, crisp minerals, creamy apple, lush lemon, pineapple and apricot”.

2016 Mayacamas Chardonnay2016 Mayacamas
Varietal: Chardonnay
Region: Mount Veder, Napa, CA
Notes: “Expressive tones of flint, fig, pear, lemon peel, structured and complex”.

2001 Chateau Pradeaux ” Cuvee Longue Garde”
Varietal: Mourvedre
Region: Bandol, France
Notes: “Untamed deep delicious crunchy flavors of smokey floral, charred wood and salty black cherry”.

1996 Chateau Leoville Las Cases                                               Varietal: Bordeaux { 70 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 14 % Merlot}
Region: Bordeaux, Saint-Julien, France
Notes: “Caressing Cassis, cherry liquor, pain grille, & dark chocolate meets blackberry, cedar and current flavors”

1998 M. Chapoutier L’ Ermite Emitage
Varietal: Syrah,
Region: Northern Rhone
Notes: “Multi-Notes: dimensional silky tannis, black fruit, inky notes of smoke and pepper. Fresh and beautifully delineated”

Taming the Tiger at Tigre!

 

Categories
Reviews

Farewell to our brother, Rafael

 

The time with us was short and sweet

We will mention your name as we fall from our seat

Off to the Rockies, Rafa will be toasted with every bottle.

With your contributions, our knowledge and palates have evolved

Wine Club Miami won’t be the same when you’re not involved


Off to the mountains and greener pasture But the door is always ope

for our Zen Master

 

Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve Grand Cru The wine is clear or pale with hints of green typical to the Chardonnay. The mousse is fine and regular with a pretty ribbon of strong bubbles. The first nose is both flowery and fruity, then comes notes of fresh nuts and fresh bread. In the finish there is citrus which brings a beautiful impression of smoothness and freshness. Wine description provided by Wine.com. Fragrant, with floral and mineral accents, this vibrant blanc de blancs shows tropical hints of passion fruit and guava layered with salted almond and honey notes. Finely knit, featuring a lasting, delicate finish. Wine Spectator

2006 Piper-Heidsieck “Cuvée Rare” Brut Champagne The 2006 Brut Cuvée Rare is a rich, gourmand rendition of this prestige bottling, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet that mingles aromas of yellow orchard fruit, pears and fresh pineapple with nuances of buttered toast, iodine and smoke. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and textural, while remaining fresh and surprisingly tight-knit at the core, concluding with a long and saline finish. There’s sufficient structural tension here to promise more than a decade’s graceful evolution, and although this is nicely balanced, it’s a generous, sun kissed rendition of the Cuvée Rare that reflects the warm vintage. (WK) Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

2015 Mersault Premier Cru “Genevrieres” Hospices de Beaune Nestled at the southern end of Meursault, the “Genevrières” plot gets its name from “juniper”, a spiky shrub inhabiting the parcel. Classified as a Premier Cru, it is known for its rocky soils producing deep, full-bodied and mineral white wines. Its exposure to the morning sunlight, allow the grapes to become plump and aroma-concentrated. Every year, the Hospices de Beaune organize an auction for their world renowned wines with all the proceeds going to charity. Our Meursault Premier Cru “Genevrières” is one of them.

1998 Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel) “Cuvée Centenaire” Châteauneuf-du-Pape Dark, brooding aromas of fig compote and a spiced Port reduction unfurl from the glass, leading to a rich, velvety palate that shows notes of plum sauce, braised chestnut, macerated boysenberry, bittersweet chocolate ganache and dark rum-soaked prune. There’s powerful structure, but the layers of exotic fruit just absorb it all. A very impressive showing. Wine Spectator

2003 M. Chapoutier “Le Meal” Ermitage Rouge The best bottle I’ve had, the still inky-purple 2003 Ermitage le Meal was firing on all cylinders on this occasion and was certainly a match for the 2009 and 2010. Tasting like a dry vintage port, yet with no sensation of heat or alcohol, it offers an insane bouquet of cassis, cracked pepper, violets, and mint that’sliterally overflowing the glass. Full-bodied, uber concentrated, voluptuous and still fresh and pure, it’s a heavenly example of this killer terroir that will continue to knock your socks off for another 2-3 decades. Drink through 2045. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Fiorito, 5555 NE 2nd Ave, Miami FL

 

 

 

Categories
Tastings

Summer Champagne Tasting

 

Philipponnat Royal Reserve Brut-Non Vintage- Disgorged in June 2020 with eight grams per liter dosage, the latest release of Philipponnat’s NV Brut Royale Réserve is based on the 2016 vintage, with 27% reserve wines. Offering up aromas of peach, pear and plum mingled with apple blossom and sweet pastry, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and expressive, with a pillowy mousse and a generous core of fruit, underpinned by bright acids. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Savart L’Ovuverture – Blanc de Noirs: The NV L’Ouverture Premier Cru Brut offers very clear and lovely aromatics of Pinot fruit on the nose. Coming from younger vines on sandy soils gives this wine elegance and finesse. This is adelicately fruity Champagne with a firm structure and great transparency. It is light, but serious. Stephan Reinhardt – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Henriot Rose-Non Vintage-Red grapes account for 60 percent of this blend, predominantly pinot noir, the balance chardonnay. The color is a pale rose-gold, while scents of rose petals and pink grapefruit further the delicate red-fruit impression. Simple, balanced and accessible, this offers touches of sweetness to balance the rasp of its chalky acidity. Wine Spectator

Deutz Rose– The NV Rosé Brut offers a very clear, fresh and delicate bouquet of floral aromas and red fruits. On the
palate, this is a light, fresh, finesse-full and delicately fruity Rosé of great purity and elegance. The dosage is perfectly balanced. This cuvée is based on 2012 and 10-15% reserve wines from 2011; it blends 80% Pinot Noir with 20% Chardonnay. The pink color comes from 7-9% Mareuil-sur-Ay red wine. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Roederer Rose Vintage 2013– White fruit immediately on the nose, as well as some very strong lemon and lime notes. Some gently chalky notes, too, from the Chouilly chardonnay, which is super chalky. The palate has such focus and drive and a great, mineral core. Very long with a fresh line of acidity and peripheral, smooth flesh. Some pink grapefruit at the finish. Drink or hold.  James Suckling

Lanson Gold 2005– Smoke and marzipan notes are layered with baked currant and lemon curd flavors in this lively champagne, with a creamy mousse. Balanced and accessible, showing spice and toast accents on the clean-cut finish. Disgorged December 2014. Drink now through 2025. Wine Spectator

Lallier 2002 Blanc de Blancs– A rich wine, with delicious cream and apple flavors, lifted by fine acidity. It is opulent, packed with apricot and light honey character encased in a dry, mineral framework. Wine Enthusiast

Nicolas Feuillatte 2005– This Blanc de Blancs is crisp, and minerally with a textured, chalky character. Despite hints of maturity, it still tastes youthful, fruity and fresh. Dry and elegantly structured, it finishes with a hint of toast. Wine Enthusiast