wineunleashed.com - This month's Wine Club selections

SEPTEMBER SELECTIONS

This month we are shipping the monthly selections starting September 25th.

1. Everyday Libations

2007 VEVI, 80% VERDEJO/20% VIURA, RUEDA SPAIN—This is a new venture and import from Antonio Sanz and José Pastor—and of course, WU is one of the first to carry it. It's light and bright with citrus and mineral components. This would be a perfect pairing for shellfish and antipasti and a great wine to have on hand to start the evening off with friends. Just cook up some mussels and you will be set!

2007 CANTINA TABURNO, FALANGHINA, CAMPANIA, ITALY— It's back!!! A WU favorite, and I can tell you it doesn't disappoint. SF Chronicle just ran an article on wines from Campania...and of course, WU members are way ahead of the curve! I have a few extra bottles, so let me know ASAP if you want more. This is being poured at some top Italian restaurants in San Francisco—I think they're the ones devouring the limited supply! Falanghina is grown in Campania, Italy (the shin of the boot), which is the only area in the world that grows this varietal. Falanghina is an ancient grape that is believed to have been used in the Roman elites' grand cru Falernum. The Latin derivation is from the word falanga, or "the stake that supports the vines." This small production wine from a co-op of wine growers is straw-colored with a gentle aroma, and is dry and delicate with a slight melon finish. It will pair well with appetizers, fish, and light pastas.

2006 CARACOL SERRANO, RED BLEND (MONASTRELL, SYRAH, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, PETITE VERDOT), JUMILLA, SPAIN— Where do I begin...this wine has it all: great value, great with spicy chorizo or BBQ, dark and brooding and integrated fruit and smooth tannins with just a touch of oak. If you can't afford to a trip to Spain, have a taste of it for a fraction of the cost.

2006 FOXGLOVE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CALIFORNIA—Foxglove is the second label from the Varner brothers down in the Santa Cruz area. If the Caracol (the other red selection) is a great value for its rustic nature, then this is a value for its elegance and complexity. I still can't believe this is being sold at such a low price. Limited supply—so call soon!!

4 bottles / cost: $57.50 + tax, S&H
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2. Company's Coming

2007 COPAIN, VIOGNIER, "TOUS ENSEMBLE," CALIFORNIA In hopes that we will be hit with Indian Summer, here is the first release of this Viognier from small producer Copain. The grapes are sourced from McDowell Valley Vineyards in Mendocino county and fermented in stainless steel. Bright fresh summer fruit on the palate makes it want to be drunk young. Don't put this one in the cellar. Enjoy the purity of the fruit now.

2005 T-VINE CELLARS, PETITE SIRAH, CALIFORNIA — I am a HUGE fan of Greg Brown... love his winemaking skills and his philosophy of life. I constantly use him as an example for why I focus on small production winemakers. I swear you can taste Brown's passion in every sip of his wine. His personality is intertwined with the wine to a point that it's mind-boggling. Here's what Brown wrote about this bottling: "This one's HUGE, as always! Very extracted & concentrated. But with very balanced tannins, not woody or oaky at all. Notes of blackberries, and blueberries, with a vanilla bean and dark cocoa finish."

2 bottles
cost: $57 + tax, S&H
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3. For The Cellar

Still to be decided.

cost: $100 + tax, S&H (two bottles)
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