1977-04 April Classic Newsletter

April 1977 Selection of California Wine

PARDUCCI PETITE SIRAH 1973

The reputation of the Petite Sirah grape is/grow­ing. Our California vintners are making some except­ional wines with this varietal, and more is to come. At a recent tasting of the Palos Verdes/Manhattan Beach Chapter of Les Amis du Vin, the Parducci 1972 was a discovery. This vintage has left our shelves, but the current release of 1973 has even more to offer!

The Parducci family still runs this winery and have been making news like this frequently. The winery is situated in Ukiah, in the northernmost wine producing district of California. It enjoys some unique microclimate vineyards in its surroundings. The Cellarmaster Wine of the Month Club salutes John and George Parducci for this fine achievement in the Petite Sirah world of wines. If you are in the Ukiah area, they have an hourly tour that is worth your while.

The wine is very deep red. The nose is fruity and fragrant. The wood says it will age well. (At the LADV tasting a 1965, aged Petite Sirah also stole the show. You might consider laying this one down). Serve with robust red meats. Try it with pasta. Enjoy

$3.50/fifth $42.00/case

April 1977 Selection of Imported Wine

CHABLIS - 1ER CRU-FOURCHAUME BOUCHARD PERE & FILS

French Chablis may only come from a region around a small town in central France, called Chablis, situated in the ancient province of Burgundy. It is produced exclusively from the Pinot Chardonnay grape. French Chablis is a cool, clean, white burgundy with a fleeting and delicate bouquet. It is the driest of table wines. The distinguishing characteristic, which is not to be found in every vintage, is an austere, flinty quality, much prized by those who have had the good fortune to encounter it. An excellent wine for all white meat meals where, a dry wine is in order.

The Fourchaume vineyards have been producing Grand Cru quality wines during the last few years and deserve that primary designation in our opin­ion. They still are "Premier Cru."

We consider this wine a "find." It has age and has developed some com­plexities that really come through. A fragrant Chardonnay nose, with a robust varietal flavor and character. Drink now and for the rest of this year. If you decide to lay it down, watch its progress.

$5.85/fifth $63.18/case

New Wines

Here are this months finds. Every wine offered is personally tasted and evaluated by our wine managers for value versus qual­ity. These prices are net prices.

● CHATEAU D'YQUEM 1967
Grand Cru classe. One of the most famous vineyards in the world. The wine is very rich and distinctly dramatic on the palate. Very seldom reduced in price.
REG. $26.95 SALE $20.69/fifth $248.28/case

● CHATEAU SUAU - Barsac 1971
2nd Grand Cru
REG. $5.99 SALE $4.66/fifth $55.92/case
REG. $3.19 SALE $2.49/tenth $29.88/case

● CHATEAU CANON LA GAFFELIERE 1971
St. Emilion-Grand Cru. Full, rich and especially full flav­ored. Don't miss this one. REG.
$6.99 SALE $5.59/fifth $67.08/case

● CHATEAU REYSSON 1973
Haut Medoc. A petite chateau that shows ageing potential. Good buy at this price.
REG. $5.95 SALE $4.25/fifth $51.00/case

● URZIGER SCHWARZLAY 1973
Peter Nicolay Weingut. This Kahinett grade of Mosel is a bargain. Light, fruity and good acid balance. A good spring sipping wine.
REG. $4.69 SALE $2.98/fifth $35.76/case

ageing in French Nevers and Yugoslavian oak barrels brought forth further enrichment of vanilla like flavors. Rich and long tasting finish. En­joy it now or hold for one to three years.
$5.50/fifth $59.40/case

○ CAYMUS VINEYARDS "OEIL DE PEDRIX"
(White Pinot Noir) 1976 Delightfully dry with full body of the pivot. noir. "Eye of the partridge". A refreshing diff­erent wine from another of the fine California wineries.
$4.50/fifth $48.60/case

○ HAWK CREST RIESLING 1974
Napa Valley. From the Stags Leap Wine Cellars and in the tradition of their fine wines, a good, light riesling that you should try.
$3.75/fifth $40.50/case

○ ROSE OF CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1975
Monterey Vineyards. One of the better Rose wines marketed this year. An excellent choice for Easter ham, pork or turkey din­ner.
$3.50/fifth $37.80/case

"When my glass is full, I empty it. When it is empty, I fill it." –Oath of the Confrérie des Sacavins

"To the sun that warmed the vineyard, To the juice that turned to wine, To the host who cracked the bottle, And made it yours and mine."

A membership in Les Amis du Vin? Here is what it brings.

WINE TASTINGS The Palos Verdes/Manhattan Beach Chapter has twelve tastings a year. But LADV has many chapters in the Southland. There were 12 LADV events just this last month. A membership entitles you to attend these other Chapter's activities also, and for each membership, two can attend at member rates. Often you will meet the owners and winemakers from the leading wineries.

WINE MAGAZINE Your member­ship brings a subscription to this excellent bimonthly mag­azine, with informative art­icles on wines of the world. John Movius, local wine author ity and West coast Director for LADV, is one of the edit­ors.

The whole wonderful world of wine is yours through member­ship in LADV. Use this form to join.