Custom Wine Marketing
Your Personal Wine Shopper 
Winter in the Vineyard

Happy New Year 2011 - And What a Year It Will Be!

January 2011
In This Issue
News Around the Valley....
Best Wine Buys - January 2011
News Around the Valley....

Did you know that Tony Rynders, winemaker for Dom. Serene for 10 vintages, has struck out on his own as consulting winemaker for several small wineries?  Did you know that he now has his own label - Tendrils - that is making a big splash with critics?  His 2008 vintage Pinot Noir is his first public offering of the new Tendrils.  Aromas of spice box, blackberry, and black currant.  To that, add flavors of deep, dark, sweet berries, black currant, and creamy, silky tannins. It finishes long, sumptuous with a hint of refined sweetness.It's spendy but if you want a special bottle in your cellar that will age for several years - this may be the one to snag as the price tag is only going to go up.  $43/bottle

And did you know that Lynn Penner-Ash is the consulting winemaker for one of my favorite wines - Dusky Goose?  The owners of Dusky Goose have been very generous in the past by donating a half case of the coveted Pinot Noir to Medical Teams International every year.  They have a heart for giving.  The nose is like perfume for wine lovers, exotic and comforting at the same time, with wafts of black cherry, orange, clove, cedar, licorice and sweet earth. The flavor flows with voluptuous black cherry, then adds a ribbon of raspberry jam.  A perfectly balanced Pinot Noir.  $52/bottle

And finally, to bring me back to earth in the price point department (!!), here is another amazing Pinot Noir for under $25.  And it's from one of my all-time favorites!  If you ever get a chance over one of the holiday open houses - stop by Alloro Vineyards.  It is just outside Sherwood and has one of the most amazing views of the valley in this quaint setting - like a little Tuscan piece of paradise.  I digress!  Anyway, this Willamette Valley beauty is the sappiest, darkest 2008 Pinot that I've sampled so far. Loganberry and Marionberry oozes from the glass, with dark spice and toast tones adding gusto.  Fresh acidity balances this hefty Pinot.  $24.50/bottle

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * Cellar Select News  

I am in the process of delivering some amazing wines over the next week to Cellar Select members - pinot noir, zinfandel, sauvignon blanc, to name a few.  I would love to see you become a member - so tell me what can I do to entice you to join?  How about a 5% discount on all wines purchased through CWM - including your quarterly shipment - on already low prices?  How about being the first in your circle to get information about events in wine country?  How about the little perks that come with each shipment - bottle tags, wine journals, etc.?  And finally how about two wine events per year that are held exclusively for Cellar Select members? 

Although you may be able to find some or all of these little enticements when you join a specific winery's wine club, you don't get the variety that comes with being a member of Cellar Select.  I am not limited to a particular winery or even region.  I shop all over looking for great wines to tickle your taste buds.  So call (503-310-4576) or e-mail me today, and I'll get the application form to you straight away!
Greetings!

 So the weather outside is frightful but the company is delightful!  And sharing a nice glass of wine with a wonderful meal in the company of friends is what really turns a cold, dark, gloomy day into one full of warmth, laughter and great conversation.
  

Here are some wines to start your year off right and brighten your winter..... Cheers! 

 

Chris Hardy
Custom Wine Marketing, LLC
 503-310-4576

*3 bottle minimum - selection can be mixed.

Oregon Wine Buys - January 2011 


 

Provenance 2008 Sauvignon Blanc - 91 points and #56 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009: "Key lime, passion fruit, melon and nectarine flavors are ripe, juicy and fleshy, with great intensity, a vivid acidity and terrific focus and clarity. Drink now."  Reg. 24.00; CWM Price $20.00

 

Chalone Monterey Pinot Blanc - This wine starts with intense fruit aromas of peaches, pears, and hints of mango and citrus. Chalone Pinot Blanc is the ultimate comfort food wine and goes great with fried chicken and mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or crab cakes. Yum!  Reg. $31.50; CWM Price $24.00

 

Conundrum White Blend - Gorgeous aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, and vanilla and lime zest enhance a deeply-flavored palate of tropical fruit, peach, pear and honeydew melon flavors. The complexity of this wine is brought into balance with a rich, round, soft texture; fresh, supportive acidity; and a stunning, satisfying finish. Reg. $30.00; CWM Price $24.00

 

MacMurray Ranch Chardonnay - This Sonoma Coast Chardonnay has a rich, full mouth feel enveloped in sweet, delicate aromatics of ripe melon and passion fruit. A subtle oak influence gives the wine flavors of toasted caramel and vanilla. This Chardonnay is well-balanced with a full, creamy finish. Reg. $20.00; CWM Price $16.00

 

2006 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel - The 2006 Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows wonderful dusty raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice, with coffee and chocolate characters. Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this a mouth-coating rich vintage. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Enjoy now or cellar through 2014.  Reg. $19; CWM Price $15.00

 

2006 Chappellet Merlot - Small amounts of Cab and Malbec add to the wine's structure and give it breadth across the palate. Concentrated with silky tannins, this tasty Merlot entices with raspberry, cherry and peppery aromas. Dark fruit layers with brown sugar, smoke, pepper and licorice flavors that linger on the palate. 90 pts Wine Spectator. Reg. $42.00; CWM Price $28.00

 

Merryvale Starmont Cabernet Sauvignon - Voluptuous aromas of cassis, black cherry, vanilla bean and cedar leap out of the glass. Typical of the 2007 vintage, this wine is drinking very nicely in its youth and should age gracefully for many years. Try this rich red with roasted meats or a yummy beef burger. 90 pts Wine Enthusiast.  Reg. $29.00; CWM Price $23.50

 

Rosenblum 2006/07 Petite Sirah (Heritage) - This wine exhibits great color with a bouquet and flavors of ripe blackberries, plums, chocolate, black pepper, violets and spice. This wine is amazing both in aromatics and flavors, not to mention the color, which is jet black. The last two vintages have scored 90 points or more by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.  Reg. $20.00; CWM Price $17.00


Barnard Griffin 2008 Syrah - Plush plum, racy raspberry and blackberry fruit is showcased in this stunning Syrah. Discreet, spicy wood notes add complexity and intrigue. Solid acidity enlivens the lengthy finish. As a young, fruit-focused wine, it is an excellent match for barbequed ribs and other grilled foods. Reg. $20.00; CWM Price $16.00

 

Maryhill 2005 Proprietor's Reserve Barbera - Soft on the palette, with flavors of rich red and black fruit, sweet tobacco, leather and truffles, ending with a firm backbone of tannin that finishes dry on the palette. Pair with grilled meats, heavy pasta dishes or cured meats and hard cheeses. Reg. $24.00; CWM Price $20.00

 
January's Not So Bad....  

....because we are all ready to relax after the holidays....but wait until February and March.  I'm one of those rare breeds - a tried and true Oregonian - yet I find those two months to be especially long.  But I am here to bring some light into your winter.


The wines I've chosen above are excellent values for the quality of wine.  It is so fun to search out wines that are delicious AND affordable.  It's a rough job but, hey, someone has got to do it!  Don't be limited to the wines I'm suggesting.  If you have a glass of that perfect red or that food friendly white in someone's home, at a favorite restaurant, at a wine tasting, make note of it and give me an opportunity to find it and get the best price I can. 

Your continued loyalty is what allows this oenophile to live out her true passion.  Thank you and Happy New Year!


Chris with Custom Wine Marketing, LLC
1470 16th Street NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
503-310-4576