Wine School Newsletter for November 2017
Our Little Secret
In our 18 years of operation, we’ve learned a thing or two about teaching wine classes. I love my job, but it’s the caliber of our students that really makes it worthwhile. I am deeply grateful that so many of you are willing to register for classes months ahead of schedule.
But I also know that is deeply aggravating for many of you, as well. Not everyone can organize their schedule months in advance. I’m the same: I can barely make a restaurant reservation a week in advance. Sure, if you want to come to one of our super-popular classes like Champagne, Exotic Wines, Wine 101, or Boutique Napa Valley you are going to have to sign up ASAP. But there are other classes that are designed just for you, our core friends and students.
When you see a class like our upcoming Israeli Wine, though, you really should take a moment to reflect about why we are offering it. The average Joe isn’t going to come to that class. That’s by design. We offer it every year, and it’s one of my favorite classes we run. You should come. Keep in mind that I always sneak in classes like this. For instance, I have also listed a class on Portuguese wine as well as one on the wines of Santa Barbara.
Thank you for your support over the years!
Cheers,
Keith
PS, We are running the Luxury Wine Scholar
Certification program in January.
The Luxury Wine Scholar Program from the National Wine School
Wine Reviews by Keith Wallace
Latoque 2015 Reserve
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Syrah and Malbec. It’s also quite delicious and drinks above its mysterious lineage. Melted chocolate and blackberry and licorice on the nose. A bit of forest floor (sous bois) on the palate backed up with lush full-bodied tannins. The finish edges into bay leaves and black fruit. Very nice indeed.
$10.99 | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania
89 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace
Simonsig 2016 Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch
This Chenin is one of the more successful I’ve seen from Simonsig in recent years. This charismatic bottle is pure and deep with tree fruits and melons. Guava, honeydew, peaches, and pears are present. A bright lemon acidity keeps the slight richness in balance and gives a note of minerality to the charming finish.
$8.99 | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania
89 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace
Shannon Ridge 2016 “High Elevation Collection” Sauvignon Blanc Lake County (California)
This is the style of Sauvignon Blanc that only a Cali winemaker can accomplish. Stylistically, it’s somewhere between a high-end Bordeaux Blanc and a New Zealander. On the nose, there is quince, buttered herbs, and spring flowers. The palate is texturally rich and slightly decadent, although the fresh acidity opens up in the mid-palate. The finish hints at tomato leaf and bay leaf and progresses into zesty grapefruit.
$10.99 | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania
90 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace
Bersano 2011 Generala Barbera d’ Asti Superiore Nizza
The Generala is Bersano’s luxury-level Barbera, sourced from the Generala vineyard in Nizza, which was originally planted in the 1950s. This is an atypical Barbera, with dense aromas of persimmon and fenugreek, followed by a full-bodied expression of toasted oak, mocha, and smoked vanilla. The finish opens into wildflowers and blackberry. There have been at least 6 of their wines that have shown up in our stores, including their excellent 2010 Barolo I reviewed a few months ago.
$14.99 | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania
91 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace
Chateau Lanbersac 2014 Puisseguin Saint Emilion
Françoise Lannoye is one of my favorite unknown Bordeaux winemakers. Year in and year out, her wines are both authentic and aristocratic. My first exposure to her wines was a bottle of her old-vine Chateau Lanbersac. Then there was a beautiful bottle of Moulin de Clotte. Year in and year out, her wines are both authentic and aristocratic.
This vintage is very pretty. Rich currant and graphite on the nose. The palate is muscular and angular with a firm mineral edge. This wine is going to need three to five years in the cellar. At this point, the tannins are overpowering the fruit, which offers up rich boysenberry and plum flavors and a beautiful finish of burnt cedar and allspice.
$14.99 | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania
91 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace
Z’ivo 2012 Pinot Noir Eola Amity Hills (Willamette Valley)
This bottle is a classic example of Willamette Valley Pinot from the Eola Amity Hills. Elegant and composed, the wine offers enticing floral and cherry notes. The structure is sleek with supple tannins that lend this Pinot Noir a glossy sophistication. A very pretty bottle, and a great value for Pinot.
$19.99 | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania
90 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace
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