Category: Tastings

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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.

 

 

 

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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

 

 

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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

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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

 

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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

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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!

 

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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

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Tastings

Big Night, Italian Wine Tasting

Wine Club Miami at Ironside Pizza

2015 Bosco del Merlo Rosso * Merlot 70% & Refosco 30% from Lison, Veneto. Bosco del Merlo elaborates this 2015 Bosco del Merlo Vineargenti Rosso Riserva , a red wine from the region of Lison-Pramaggiore with the best refosco and merlot grapes from the 2015 vintage (http://www.sommelier.reviews)

2015 TORNATORE Trimarchise * Nerello Mascalese from Mount Etna, Sicily Aromas of tobacco, menthol, coconut and a whiff of oak-driven spice lead the bouquet of this wine. The firm, focused palate boasts fine-grained tannins that lithely support flavors of dried black cherry, ripe raspberry, star anise and espresso. Drink 2020–2025 (Wine Enthusiast)

2006 Michele Chiarelo La Court * Barbera from Nizza, Barbera d’ Asti La Court is a plush, chewy and richBarbera from one of the most successful wineries in Piedmont. You’ll recognize sweet oak and vanilla aromas wrapped tight by black fruit, cherry and blueberry. In the mouth, the wine is appropriately dense and fresh. (Wine Enthusiast)

2009 Lungarotti Rubesco * Sangiovese from Montecchio Umbria The 2009 Rubesco displays deep ruby red color with slight violet hues in the glass. On the nose, the wine exudes delicate aromas with good intensity, elegant complexity with hints of pepper, cinnamon and tobacco; background notes of red jam and violet. Solid structure and superb concentration, it evolves with fresh acidity; austere, balanced tannins with good balance, a fruity and slightly mineral finish. (wine.com)

2013 Il Poggione Brunello * Sangiovese from Brunello-The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino lives up to the impeccable reputation garnered by this estate over the years. This is a profound and beautifully rendered Sangiovese that delivers bold and luscious fruit quality with black cherry and spicy plum at the start. The bouquet follows through with mild oak notes of smoke, tar and toasted nut. There is another aromatic component that includes crushed stone and dried herb or mint. This Brunello shows elegant evolution in the glass and promises a very long aging future ahead. (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)

2016 Nardo Toscana * Sangiovese & Cabernet Blend from Tuscany Fresh violets, lavender, citrus and fresh herbs are the main attraction on the nose. Full body, grainy tannins, some lovely, crunchy acidity and a salty finish. A blend of montepulciano, sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, marselan, and alicante bouschet. Drink now. (James Suckling)

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Tastings

Pinot Noir Tasting: California, Burgundy and South African Wines

Pinot Light
Pinot Heavy



Kistler Cuvee Elizabeth 2009 –A salty, saline quality that runs through the fruit in this powerful, structured wine.Waves of fruit crescendo on the explosive finish. This is a dazzling Pinot Noir, but it will require at least another year or two in bottles. Reviewed and rated by The Wine Advocate.

 

Sea Smoke  “Ten” Sta. Rita Hills 2005 – “Ten is Sea Smoke’s biggest Pinot, a barrel selection chosen for sheer volume. It easily handles its 100% new oak coating. Needs decanting; even 15 minutes in the glass brought a unifying process, integrating the cedar and smoke with the explosive blackberry, cherry and chocolate fruit, and revealing the rich, dense, satiny texture.” Reviewed and rated by: 94 points Wine Enthusiast

 

 

Lucien le Moine Nuits St. Georges Les Vaucrains 2012-“The 2012 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains has a precise bouquet with superb tension – a bouquet that is already shimmering with anticipation! The palate has a supple effervescent entry, with orange peel and marmalade, and fine weight on the finish. Reviewed and rated by Robert Parker Wine Advocate.”

 

Nuits St George “Les Charmois” 2010 -“Bright and sleek, with a mix of herb, cherry, earth and iron flavors. Firm and linear in profile, exerting a tight grip on the finish. Best from 2015 through 2024”. Reviewed and rated by: Wine Spectator

 


Joseph Drouhin Clos Vougeot 2005
“The 2005 Clos Vougeot from Drouhin’s two parcels in that famous cru, is much more earthy and less fine-grained than the majority of their wines from this vintage, but it exhibits impressive concentration. A bone meal-like meld of mineral and meat dominates the nose and suffuses the palate along with black raspberry, plum and cherry fruit accepted by faintly bitter fruit pit notes. This is quite full and rich, but without being heavy; overtly tannic and chewy, but without being coarse. A promising more tart than sweet juiciness of black fruit mingles with roasted meat and stony, chalky minerality in the finish. Reviewed and rated by: Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

 

Louis Jadot Latricieres Chambertin 2005–A deep meatiness and pungent spiciness unite with sweet richness of fruit on the palate, leading to a staining intensity of bitter-sweet black cherry, licorice, meat juices and cassis in a full-throttle finish. Reviewed and rated by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

 

 


Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir-The sublime 2010 Pinot Noir is aged for 10 months in oak, of which 44% was new and the remainder used. It has a ripe bouquet of redcurrant, strawberry and Morello that shows no signs of under-ripeness that Hamilton’s Pinots occasionally exhibit due to leaf-roll. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe  fleshy redcurrant and cranberry fruit that is underpinned by extremely fine tannins. This has wonderful build in the mouth and the finish is exuberant, almost feisty! This is an audacious Pinot Noir from one of South Africa’s top estates. Drink now-2020. Reviewed and rated by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

Pinot Light
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Tastings

Chateau Pommard

Preston Mohr, Wine Advisor Château de Pommard

 Burgundys largest monopole surrounds the Chateau de Pommard.       Protected by a two- meter high stone wall built at the beginning of the 19th century. 2015 Cloys Marey-Monge: “The Château de Pommard Clos-Marey Monge Monopole is our vineyard’s signature wine: a terroir-driven blend that our winemaker, Emmanuel Sala, adjusts with each vintage to showcase the microclimate of Burgundy’s largest monopole. Hand harvested grapes and hand sorted. 100% de-stemmed and placed into stainless steel fermentation vats by gravity flow”. Placed in French oak barrels. 2012 Cloys Marey-Monge:  “The palate is well-rounded and velvety and a long finish. Ruby red color with a dense and concentrated taste.  Led by morello cherry complexion with ample support from the generous and delicate scents of peony, poppy, dried rose and a plethora of black fruits” (winemaker notes)

2017 Simone-Nestled at the foot of the Château de Pommard, Simone is a 0.53 hectares plot of remarkable terroir. The delicacy and intensity of a red wine strongly depends on the quality of the internal surface of clay contained in the soil. The higher the density, the more a vineyard can produce grand cuvées. In 2009, Claude et Lydia Bourguignon, both agronomists and founders of the Microbiological Laboratory for Soils, conducted a thorough study on the Clos Marey-Monge and the Simone plot. What they found exceeded every expectation. With an internal surface of clay beyond 730 square meters per gram, Simone is close to the world record. With only 1,800 bottles of this intense, rich and complex Pinot Noir—our rarest cuvée, produced in the most generous years, Simone is available by allocation only. “Powerful and delicate, our Simone 2016 shows a deep, dark and bright ruby color with purple accents. The nose first reveals wild aromas of venison, underwood and elderberry. The palate is free, with a firm yet velvety tannic structure. This Pinot Noir shows an impressive depth that will still be there in 30 years from now” (wine maker notes). Other exceptional wines were tasted including 2015 Mersault, 2015 Volnay Premier Cru and 2015 Nuit-Saint-Georges.