1979-06 June Classic Newsletter

June 1979 Selection of California Wine

WOLFGANG ZINFANDEL 1976

A new label has emerged on the California scene. The firm of Morandell Wine Import, who to date, have specialized in importing Austrian wines and more recently in German wines, have chosen to offer private label premium California wines. Mr Wolfgang Morandell chose the entire 1976 Zinfandel harvest of Sotoyome Winery made from Sonoma County grapes as one of his wines. We were impressed and bring it to you as our red wine selection this month.

Sotoyome means "Village of Brave Warriors" referring to the tribe of Indians that inhabited the Russian River Valley. In 1973, William Chaikin and John C. Stampri, with some other investors, established the winery near Healdsburg, on land formerly used for fruit growing. Soil, weather, and grape origin are the elements their winemaker depends on more than temperature control in his wine making. "Emphasis on the best grapes, and allowing the wine to de­velop fully naturally with as little manipulation and complication as possible" is his aim.

This Zinfandel is a luscious example. Full bodied, well balanced and deep in flavor, it is a surprise from Sonoma County grapes. Try it _with your next beef entree. Will improve for 5 to 10 years.

June 1979 Selection of Imported Wine

GRAVE DEL FRIULI—TOCAI—COLLAVINI 1977

The Friuli wine growing region of Italy is at the northeast top of the boot. It is a small region that does not ordinarily export its wines. The locals prefer to drink it all themselves. The Cellarmaster Wine of the Month Club was fortunate in securing this interesting and extraordinary wine.

"Grave del Friuli" or "Western Friuli Hills Wine" where the river Togliamento flows, has its own Denominazione indicating regional identification. Tocai (the local name for the Tokay D' Alsace grape or Pinot Gris) is one of the two famous white wines from Friuli. (No connection at all with the Tokay of Hungary.) Collavini is one of the better know shippers in this region.

The wine is dry, light golden straw color, aromatic nose with a full body. It has a pleasant slightly bitter finish that makes it per­fect for Venetian style fish dishes. Serve chilled with most any food from the sea. Salut.

#98 $4.89/fifth $52.82/case

Gift for Father

Sunday June 17,1979

VERY SPECIAL - VERY RARE

ANGELICA ANTIGUA

For many years here in the Sonoma Valley my fam­ily and I produced fine Angelica for use as altar wine. Now several years after our discontinuing production of these wines, we have very little left. This particular Angelica was a remnant of the finest of our altar wines, and we have allowed it to mellow in several oak casks tucked away in a corner of our limestone aging cellars. After a period of restful aging this magnificent wine has fully earned its name "Antigua," the Spanish word for "old."

We have now released this Angelica Antigua in a lim­ited Quantity of numbered bottles at a price which ref­lects the many years of watchful care given this wine. This Angelica Antigua has developed a beautiful caramel texture and a rich peach-cobbler taste.

My sons Sam and Don join me in trusting that you will fully enjoy this beautiful dessert wine.

August Sebestiani

RECENT ARRIVALS

Hacienda Wine Cellars
1976
Sonoma Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker's Note

The drought conditions of 1976 produced wines modest in quantity but of superior quality. Field blend­ed grapes (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot) from the Buena Vista Vineyards, Sonoma, were hand picked in late October and yielded a must of 22.6° Brix and 0.75% by volume total acid. Fermentation reached a maximum temperature of 81°F and lasted 9 days. After settling in upright tanks it was racked to European and American oak barrels where it underwent malolactic fermentation and aging until bottling in August, 1978. Total acid of the finished wine is 0.60% by volume. It was not fined. Its roughness and pro­nounced flavors will soften and gain complexity with several years of bottle age. We recommend serving it at room temperature with stews, roasts, or kebabs of lamb and beef. #112 $8.50 /fifth 91.80/case

1977
Sonoma Valley
Chardonnay
"Clair de Lune"
Winemaker's Note

Grown in the cool southern Sonoma Valley, the grapes for this wine were allowed to reach full ripeness (23.3° Brix) before being picked the first of October. After crushing and overnight skin con­tact, the juice was settled, racked and fermented at an average 54°F. After aging in oak barrels, it was bottled in August, 1978. With am­ple fruit in the aroma, this Chardonnay has a hint of oak in delicate balance with the crispness of acid (0.70% by volume). We recommend aging 3.5 years from vintage date and serving slightly below room temperature with fresh salmon or cracked crab. #115 $8.00/fifth 86.40/case

Sonoma County 1978
Gewürztraminer
Winemaker's Note

Selected hillside vineyards in Sonoma and Alexander Valleys provided the fruit for this memorable wine. Timing harvesting is important with Gewürztraminer and the grapes were harvested just as they turned their characteristic shade of russet and achieved op­timum flavor. Average must sugar was 22.4% by weight After over­night skin contact the juice fermented at 52°F for 9 weeks to a residual sugar of 1.2% by weight. Balanced by a total acidity of 0.75% by volume, and exhibiting the characteristic spicy flavors of the variety, this wine will accompany all well-seasoned meals of chicken or other fowl. #113 $6.00/fifth 64.80/case

Sonoma Valley 1978
Pinot Noir-Blanc
Winemaker's Note

Harvested in mid-September, the grapes for this wine measured 22.0° Brix and 0.74% by volume total acid. The grapes were harvested and immediately pressed very light­ly so as to minimize contact of the red skins with the white juice. Cold fermentation averaged 50°F and lasted 4 weeks. The wine is com­pletely dry with 0.65% by volume total acid. The blush of color will provide visual pleasure as well as aging potential for the wine. It will he best enjoyed 2-4 years from the vintage date, when served with poached salmon or other seafood. #111 $4.50/fifth 48.60/case

Sonoma Valley 1978
Johannisberg Riesling
LATE HARVEST

Grown in the historic Buena Vista Vineyards, where yields are modest but quality is exceptional, the grapes for this wine ripened under conditions of an extremely warm growing season. Harvested in late September the grapes measured 24.3% by weight natural sugar. After overnight skin contact, the juice fermented 10 weeks at 52°F to a residual sugar of 5% by weight. The concentrated flavors and sweetness make it a perfect accompaniment to postprandial fruit and cheese. It can also be served slightly chilled as a dessert by itself. #114 $5.75/fifth 62.10/case

FIELD STONE WINERY

● Johannisberg Riesling - 1978 #99 $5.00/fifth $54.00/case
● Gewurztraminer - 1978 #100 $5.50/fifth $59.40/case
● Chenin Blanc - 1978 #101 $4.50/fifth $48.60/case
● Spring Cabernet - 1978 #102 $4.50/fifth $48.60/case
● Rose of Petite Sirah - 1978 #103 $5.00/fifth $54.00/case

HUSCH VINEYARDS ESTATE BOTTLED VINTAGE WINES

Husch Vineyards produces four estate bottled vintage wines of very high quality. These wines are made entirely of grapes from their Philo vineyards. They are 100% varietals gently pressed then slowly fermented and aged in French and Am­erican oak barrel, and casks. These wines arc delightfully dry with natural acidity due to their cool climatic growing con­ditions. They are also magnificently pure with strong varietal character.

CELLARMASTER "WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB" – for a fun way of discovering new wines each month We select one domestic and one imported wine and feature it in our wine shop. We send you a bottle of each selection monthly. We send you a newsletter describing the wine and its background. We restrict our selections to the popular price range, not to exceed $10.00 for the two bottles of wine each month. We deliver to the Palos Verdes Area at no charge. We ship statewide at nominal charges of whatever our cost is for such shipping. If you are new to wines, it is a good way to learn about them. If you are a seasoned connoisseur, we invite you to test our evaluations and make your recommendations for future selections. Please send me the domestic and imported selection each month. NAME PHONE STREET CITY ZIP □ Charge my regular account at your shop. □ Bank America □ Visa □ Master Charge No._________________________Expiration__________ Date_____________Signature________________________ "WINE OF THE MONTH CLUB" CELLARMASTER SELECTIONS Mail to: Palos Verder Wines & Spirits 77 MALAGA COVE PLAZA PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA 90274 ------------------------------------------------------------- WINE ORDER FORM Use the form below for ordering any wines or items you wish from this newsletter, or any other wines available. We deliver in Palos Verdes at no charge ($20 minimum). We ship statewide nominal charges of whatever our cost is for such shipping. PLEASE SEND ME THE WINES LISTED BELOW: NO. BOTTLES NO. CASES NUMBER & NAME OF WINE PRICE TOTAL □ Send C.O.D. □ Charge my regular account SUB TOTAL___________ □ BankAmericard □ Mastercharge □ Visa 6% SALES TAX________ No.________________________________________ TOTAL_______________ Expiration Date:______________________________ Signature_____________________________ Name (print)______________________________ Address____________________________City_________Zip_______Phone_______________ Mail to: 77 Malaga Cove Plaza Palos Verder Estates, CA 90274