The June Wine Club Wines

Hello everyone

Here is some more information on the wines we've chosen for June.

First up is the 2011 Chablis from Joseph Drouhin.  Chablis is the northernmost area in Burgundy.  In the Sixties, much of the region was abandoned; a century before phylloxera had ravaged the area.  The Drouhin family was a pioneer in revitalizing Chablis around that time.

The soil is here is Kimmeridgian limestone which contains millions of tiny marine fossils imbedded in a chalky mortar; this is what give Chablis its unique flavor.

This wine was aged in vats for 8 months, and is a beautiful pale gold color.  The nose is vivid with hints of lime and mint.  It is dry and fruity in your mouth, with mineral notes.  The finish is long and pleasant.  

Drink this elegant wine between 50 and 55 degrees; 15 minutes out of the fridge before serving should be just right.  Perfect complement to shellfish dishes.

The wine can be cellared up to 5 years. 



Next is the 2009 Three Saints Santa Barbara Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is one of the wines from the Dierberg family, who in the late Nineties elevated Santa Barbera winemaking up to the premium level.  With vineyards in Santa Ynez, Santa Maria and Santa Rita Hills vallies, they produce wines with the Dierberg label, Star Lane and Three Saints.  The AVA for this wine is the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.  Nice!

The grapes for this wine were grown on mountainous, steeply sloped vineyards, and the blend is 77 % Cab Sauv, 16 % Cab Franc, some merlot and petit verdot.  Aged 18 months in barrel, the wine was lightly fined and bottled unfiltered.

The rich nose of this wine has dark fruit, with notes of cedar and cinnamon.  On the palate, the wine has opulent fresh blackberry flavors.  It has a supple finish with cocoa notes.

This Cabernet will make a very nice wine for a special occasion when hearty foods are served.

Cellar up to 8 years.