April Collector’s Wine Club: Iowa

Posted on March 28, 2023 by mcginnessalex

Hertelendy Vineyards
Audēre Red Blend 2018
(glow-in-the-dark label)
Napa Valley, California

In Latin, Audēre means to dare or to risk. This unique Bordeaux blend is a risk-taker as it defies conventional winemaking methods and boldly stands out. This blend hails from ultra premium, volcanic Napa areas, such as Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak and Hertelendy’s very own Rockwell Ridge estate vineyard (planted in 1993 at 1365 feet, 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA). Enjoy a burst of flavor, serious tannins, and a full-bodied mouth feel… plus, the label glows in the dark!

Analysis: 14.8% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 39% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Harvest Dates: September 26, 2018 – October 30, 2018
Release Date: October 10, 2022
Cooperage: 23 months in 90% French & Hungarian Oak
Growing Season: 2018 was an extraordinary year with the most predictable weather conditions and no heat spikes, which resulted in the longest hang-time on the vines. Vintner, Ralph Hertelendy believes it was the best vintage of the decade.
Cases Produced: 329
Winemakers: Ralph Hertelendy & Phillip Corallo-Titus

CRITIC’S REVIEWS:
“The 2018 ‘Audere’ is another fantastic wine from Hertelendy in this vintage and similar to last years release, this is the most accessible wine from this outstanding lineup. It begins with seductive aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries currants which are joined by exotic spices, violets, wet gravel, tobacco and hints of earthy nuances all developing in the glass. On the palate this is full-bodied and well-structured with beautifully polished tannins. It displays outstanding concentration and overall balance with a long seamless finish leaving behind flavors of black fruits, tobacco, violets and spices all leave a lasting impression. This is already fantastic, however it also has the structure to take on additional bottle age and evolve gracefully for years to come.” — 95 Points, International Wine Report

Hertelendy Vineyards
Signature Mountain Blend 2017
Napa Valley, California

BOLD WINE STYLE

Composed of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, this limited case production (6 barrels) is the closest wine in Hertelendy Vineyard’s program that could be called an “Estate Wine”, as most of the blend comes from their very own Rockwell Ridge Estate Vineyard (located 35 feet below the Howell Mountain AVA). It is a delectable representation of what their Estate Rockwell Ridge Vineyard (blended with Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill & Atlas Peak fruit (can produce).

Analysis: 14.7% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 49% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 1% Petite Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc
Harvest Dates: September 7, 2017 – October 7, 2017
Release Date: February 22, 2021
Cooperage: 23 months in 90% new French & Hungarian Oak
Growing Season: 2017 was a great vintage overall where record-setting winter rains ended their five year drought. A lengthy, moderately warm summer created idyllic conditions for density, ripeness, and concentration. However, the winery lost 50% of their total yield to the fires.
Cases Produced: 150 (6 barrels)
Winemakers: Ralph Hertelendy & Phillip Corallo-Titus

CRITIC’S REVIEWS:

96 Points & Double Gold Medal in the Sunset International Wine Competition
“The 2017 Signature Mountain Blend is another stellar wine from Hertelendy in this vintage. This instantly begins to impress as it displays wonderful purity and freshness, releasing gorgeous nuances of ripe cassis, dark cherries and blueberries, which are followed by exotic spices, dark florals, licorice, fresh sage and underlying hints of espresso all taking shape. On the palate this is full-bodied and impeccably balanced, with outstanding concentration and a layered mouthfeel that continues seamlessly through the finish. This is a simply sensational wine that is drinking incredibly well now, but should also hold up beautifully for decades and become even more compelling over time. “— 95 Points, International Wine Report
“Coming from the estate property on Howell Mountain, the Bordeaux blend 2017 Signature Mountain Blend has a perfumed, floral, incense, vanilla, and violets tinged bouquet that’s supported by plenty of blue fruits. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has good acidity, a firm, tight, compact feel on the palate, ripe tannins, and outstanding length.” — 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Hertelendy Vineyards is a luxurious, boutique winery that specializes in producing Bordeaux blends from the most ultra premium terroirs that Napa Valley has to offer. Their ancestors have been making wines in Hungary since the 1700’s, and mountainous, volcanic terroir has always been a Hertelendy winemaking tradition. In 2013, Hertelendy Vineyards was founded by Ralph Hertelendy, who acquired this 4 acre vineyard on the slopes of Howell Mountain. Today, Ralph, and Winemaking Consultant, Phillip Corallo-Titus continuously work together to create wines that meet in the middle of their styles – creating beautiful, compromising expressions that otherwise wouldn’t have been made. Learn more about their story here.

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Winery Spotlight Series: April 11, 2023

Posted on March 22, 2023 by mcginnessalex

STYLES Wine Tasting with Clos LaChance Vineyards and Guest Speaker, Steve Driscoll
San Martin, California

Tuesday, April 11, 2023
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for an exclusive tasting featuring our STYLES wines, created in collaboration with Clos LaChance winery – a family-owned and certified sustainable winery in California. Steve Drsicoll, Winemaker at Clos LaChance, will be our guest speaker and tasting us through our six Style Wines on the big screen at the store. Discover your favorite wine STYLE with Steve!

STYLE Wines Tasted (for tasting notes, click on each style):

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please contact your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go from your local participating store and watch/taste along with us on Zoom.

Jan19_Styles_wines_email-header

About Clos LaChance:

Clos LaChance winery is a multi-generational family-owned and operated winery. Located within the Central Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA), tucked into the beautiful Hayes Valley in San Martin, California. Being good stewards of land and resources, the Clos LaChance Winery and Estate Vineyard is proud to be Certified Sustainable by the California Sustainable Wine Growing Alliance . Owners Bill and Brenda Murphy are especially vested in the sustainability of the vineyard and winery—creating a legacy for their children, grandchildren and generations to come.

Sustainability is an ever-evolving practice. As a member of the Central Coast Vineyard Team, Clos LaChance has also actively participated in the Wine Institute Sustainability Self-Assessment Program, identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement. They are proud of current achievements to create an environmentally, economically and socially sound business, and will continue working towards more sustainable practices.

In early 2009, Clos LaChance’s 150-acre Estate vineyard was one of seventeen California vineyards to be Sustainably Certified via the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The production facility was certified shortly thereafter. Learn more about their winery here.

About Steve Driscoll, Winemaker:

Steve graduated with a degree in Wine and Viticulture from the University of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and spent 2 years roaming the cellar of Edna Valley Vineyards, in which he helped produce fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. Afterwards he became Cellar Master for Ruby Hill Winery, one of the oldest wineries in the Livermore Valley, producing great California Zinfandels and Petite Sirahs. In 2009 Steve set off for New Zealand to expand his knowledge of winemaking and new world wines. He worked for a large custom crush facility producing well known staples of the industry, like Kim Crawford and Little Penguin. After traveling the world, Steve came back to the Central Coast California to join the Clos LaChance team. His knowledge of the cellar and his passion for producing fine wines is unrivaled, and possibly only matched, by his passion for Metallica and Def Leppard. Learn more about Steve and the Clos LaChance team here.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together!

Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.

STYLES Wine Tasting with Clos LaChance Vineyards
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST

Cheers!

WineStyles.com

Winery Spotlight Series: March 21, 2023

Posted on February 22, 2023 by mcginnessalex

Hayes Valley Wines
with Guest Speaker, Jason Robideaux
San Martin, California

Tuesday, March 21, 2023
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Hayes Valley Wines with guest speaker Jason Robideaux, Vice President of Winery and Vineyard Operations of Clos LaChance. He will be joining us LIVE on the big screen nationwide, sharing the five wines below.

Wines Tasted:

Hayes Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Hayes Valley Chardonnay
Hayes Valley Merlot
Hayes Valley Meritage Red Blend
Hayes Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

About Hayes Valley Wines:
Produced by Clos LaChance, Hayes Valley Wines comes from a place deeply rooted in California’s history. A history as rich as the soil is for planting. An area once used primarily for raising cattle, the Hayes Valley is one of the oldest wine grape-growing regions in the state. Through the centuries, the Hayes Valley has remained one of the many premier wine grape-growing regions in California. The topographic map on Hayes’ label, is a nod to where this brand originated, and has since expanded to take advantage of all the best grape-growing regions throughout California. 100% sustainably farmed grapes are hand-selected and sorted to ensure the best grapes go into every glass. The Hayes Valley portfolio has received multiple 90+ scores, including the Meritage Red Blend. “This twist-top wine performs extremely well against much more expensive Bordeaux blends.” – 92 pts and Editor’s Choice, Wine Enthusiast. Learn more about their story here.

About Jason Robideaux, VP of Winery and Vineyard Operations:

Jason Robideaux is Clos LaChance’s VP of Winery and Vineyard Operations, overseeing all activities that take place on the production floor. These include all wine movements, treatments and adjustments that may take place in the crush pit, tank cellar and/or the barrel cellar as well. Jason also helps manage bottling schedules and supply inventory for CLC products. He joined the Clos LaChance team just prior to the 2007 crush, after recently returning from the Hunter Valley in Australia’s beautiful Wine Country, where he worked the 2007 Harvest Season as a Vintage Winemaker for Rosemount Estate. Jason attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he received his degree in Wine and Viticulture emphasizing in Enology. When Jason is not running in between barrels and climbing in and out of tanks, he enjoys playing and watching sports like Football, Baseball and Golf. Learn more about Jason and the Clos LaChance team here.