Treasure Chest

Sudden Italy Gl Tormaresca Primitivo  88 points http://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/tormaresca-2012-zinfandel-primitivo-puglia

Schramsberg I joined Schramsberg Cellar Club in December 2015.  It was a Christmas gift to myself.  This is also the very first wine club I joined. The Schramsberg estate is tucked into the densely forested slopes of Diamond Mountain, a few miles south of the town of Calistoga, and is home to the oldest hillside vineyards in Napa. It totals 218 acres with 43 acres planted to vines. Before my time, Schramsberg played a role in world history. The Blanc de Blancs was used for President Nixon’s 1972 “Toast to Peace” with China’s Premier Zhou Enlai. Schramsberg’s sparkling wines have been served at official State functions by every U.S. Presidential administration since.  First Shipment, December 2015 4 bottles $220 2007 J. Schram Rose -Chardonnay and Pinot Noir $150 2008 Extra Brut -Pinot Noir and Chardonnay $76 Note:  Drunk and Not my favorite 2013 Davies "Jack & Jamie Reserve" Pinot Noir Pinot Noir $65 2012 Blanc De Blancs -Chardonnay $39 Note:  

90+ Tequila - Jalisco  Riazul Tequila Plata  Reposado Anejo

90+ Cuatro Dominio - Malbec Chento  Lote 44 Tolentino  Tamari Catena Mendoza Argentine 5000 feet elevation High Mountain Vines Kaiken Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2013 $14

90+ rating Conde Valdermar - Rioja Crianza Gran Reserve Reserve Inspiración Valdermar - Rioja Selección Marco Abella - Priorat Domini de la Cartoxia Clos Galena 2012 (94 points $50) -muscular yet fresh red Les Terrases (negocicant blend, 93 points $40) Clos Abella Louisiana Mad Mallola Bodegas Altun Rioja Crianza 2011 $20 Spain  Bierzo  White wines make up only about 20 percent of the country's production, yet quality has soared in recent years (2016).

80-84 Good 85-89 Very good 90-94 Outstanding  95-100 Classic:  a great wine

Dec 2015 Wine Spectator Best value. 88 Heinz Eifel Riesling QbA Rheinhessen Shibe 2014 $10 Germany

Sparkling Wine Below 40 -served very cold and it tastes better and won't spray all over when open White Wine 45-50 -served a few degrees above refrigerator temperature yields more aromas  Red Wine 60-65 -warm red wines can seem too alcoholic  -pour red slightly cooler than room temperature is ideal

Crystal or plastic decanter served the same purpose. So, cheap is okay. Decanters are the world's most underrated wine tool.  Slosh YOUNG wines around Pour the bottle straight down to the decanter to increase air exposure.  Air can soften the texture and intensify the aromas of young, tannic red wines.  Wait for an hour before drinking the wine.  Handle AGED with care Wine spent years in a cellar often need decanting and it can acquire a funky nite. Air will blow off this note.  Pour the wine slowly along the side of the decanter, and avoid serving any sediments from the bottom of the bottle.

2015 09162015 Vinum (Vin Num)   The Basic Riedel Glass Series are: Vinum - The most popular line. This was designed by Georg Riedel who is the head of this German family owned business.  This was the first line to establish that the shape of the glass should be dictated by the characteristics of the wine. Lead-crystal and machine blown.  This line contains the greatest depth in glass varieties for wines, beer and spirits.   Vinum Extreme - As the name implies the shape is a more "extreme" version of the Vinum line.  The bowls have lovely angles and the stems are taller for an elegant table presentation. Lead-crystal and machine blown.   Vinum XL - This line includes only four glasses that have been fine tuned for the major grape varietals with a fun cocktail glass thrown in for good measure.  Lead-crystal and machine blown.   Wine - This is the most confusing line because, after al

2015 091 8 2015 Hestia Cabernet Sauvignon by Mr. Shannon Jones Columbia Valley La Quercia  Grape:  Montepulciano d'Abruzzo The Jack, Cabernet Sauvignon WA 10/34 💕 03132016 DC This bottle of red exceeded it's recommended drinking period.  I followed instruction and decant this bottle carefully and with two and half hours of time to breath.  Since 2003, this bottle is carrying thirteen years of age in it.  I don't know if this bottle is stored properly or not because it was a gift to me.  It is fun to wait and taste the result.  The waiting and special handling are well worth it.  I think this may be one of the best bottles I ever enjoyed.  To top it off, I enjoyed it at home.  I was extra wonderful. The accurately aged wine color.