http://www.classicwines.com ClassicWines.com is about much more than just finding the best wines at the best prices. It is also about learning what to drink in the first place, what foods to pair those wines with, and how to make the most out of each and every bottle. From our weekly columns that cover a wide range of wine-related and lifestyle topics, to news on featured wines and regions, ClassicWines.com is your entryway to the entire universe of wine. Copyright (c) 2009, ClassicWines.com, LLC http://www.classicwines.com/articles/gold-medal-wine-club-international-series-portugal http://www.classicwines.com/articles/gold-medal-wine-club-international-series-portugal
How can this article help you? During our tasting, we utilize a wide range of wine drinkers and ask them each to sample the bottles honestly and create their own notes. By gathering both a beginner and expert perspective, you can learn and compare with us no matter what your personal level of experience. Enjoy!

International Series Intro
???The International Series takes you on a journey around the world, and introduces you to premium wines that can???t be found anywhere else in the United States! Each quarterly shipment features a different country with three specially selected wines and our gourmet Adventure Package.??? ??? GMWC Website

The International Series is one of our favorites at ClassicWines.com. What could be more exciting than learning about the wine and culture of a different country?

2006 Quinta do Vallado Douro ???The Quinta do Vallado 2006 Douro Red was produced from Portugal???s Douro region, the world???s oldest appellation and considered Portugal???s premium wine region.??? ??? GMWC packet

Beginner Perspective:
The Vallado is an interesting mix of grapes, including the Tinto Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacionale Sousao.

Not being very familiar with any of those grape varieties, I was coming into this wine very much a beginner. The color was ruby red and the nose presented a musty, forest floor essence. Living in a wooded region, this smell jumped out to me right away and spoke a bit about the region this wine was produced in. Behind the must was a sense of jamminess that was very pleasant.

The taste hinted of candy apples, but was accented by a spike of alcohol. For me the alcohol struck sharply, but most of the other tasters found in refreshing.

Expert Perspective:
The Vallado Douro brought an interesting nose, full of rich ripe cherry and hints of bakers chocolate. When I dug into the nose even deeper I detected creamy black berry and spice. Rounding out the different fruit characteristics was an essence of slight forest floor.

The palate spoke of cherry pie and berry fruit, as the nose suggested. Pepper and cinnamon spice came through and matched up well with an elegant oak finish.

85/100

2007 Monte da Peceguina Tinto (Red)???A deeply concentrated red wine, Malhadinha Nova???s 2007 Monte Da Peceguina was produced from the Alentejo region of Portugal.??? ??? GMWC packet.

Beginner Perspective:
This Monte da Peceguina was a red blend that brought many different grape varieties to the table. The color was a dark red (almost purple) and suggested deep flavors (I wasn???t expecting a light Pinot Noir on this one). The nose was a combination of barnyard and strawberry, which mixed together in a very pleasant way.

The taste continued with the barnyard characteristic, but not overwhelmingly so. It was subtle and smooth and a nice change of pace from fruit forward wines.

Expert Perspective:
Barnyard Earth mixed with a subtle berry cherry. The nose of this wine kicks off with a very pleasant mix of vegetal and fruit aspects. Further, it contains the normal ???funk??? that one comes to expect out of the Alentejano region.

The palate contained very soft red berry fruit which spoke must strongly of strawberry and cherry, along with plenty of spice. The oak was very well balanced and did not detract from the pleasant fruit flavors.

88/100

2007 Monte da Peceguina Branco (White)???A powerful, expressive white blend, the Malhadinha Nova 2007 Monte da Peceguina is a lively, fresh wine of Portugal???s Alentejo region, which is known for producing white wines with intense, fruity, original aromas.??? ??? GMWC packet.

Beginner Perspective:
The Monte da Peceguina Branco was a pale yellow in color, almost golden. The nose spoke of melon and honeydew ??? what I consider to be a very traditional white wine nose (Something you encounter often).

The taste also spoke of traditional white wine flavors that you would encounter in Chardonnays or Pinot Gris. Very pleasant and well balanced ??? something you could serve at the dinner table.

Expert Perspective:
This nose of this wine struck me with honey suckle and melon. There as also a bit of depth as a detected slight notes of lemon zest.

The palate spoke even stronger of lemon rind, allowing melon to balance it out as sweetness combined with tanginess. There were hints of orange marmalade and a subtle essence of spice. The finish was brisk with no oak and a slight sense of minerality.

86/100

Other notables about the International Series:
When it comes to the International Series, it???s not just about the wine. This package includes excellent edibles from across the sea (in this case, Portugal). In this particular package was Maria Bolacha Crackers, Gonsalves Tuna in Soya Oil, Piri Piri Molho Hot Sauce, and Quintal dos Acores Fig Jam. What a selection!

If you???re considering joining this excellent club, click here.

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How can this article benefit you? During our tasting, we utilized a wide range of wine drinkers and asked them each to sample the bottles honestly and create their own notes. By gathering both a beginner and expert perspective, you can learn and compare with us no matter what your personal level of experience. Enjoy!

2005 Calcareous Twisted Sisters Syrah
???The Calcareous 2005 Twisted Sisters Syrah was produced from a blend of two Westside Paso Robles properties, Killer Canyon and Starr Ranch Vineyards. These distinctive small vineyards have unique calcareous limestone-rich soils, from which the winery attributes its name and honors the region???s terroir.??? ??? GMWC packet

Beginner Perspective:
This is a dark, jammy syrah. Generally, Syrahs seem to have a lot of body to them, and this one was no exception. There were strong berry components that dominated the nose for me, pretty much to the exclusion of finer aromas that may have been present.

The palate kept true to the nose ??? raspberry and blackberry pie. The overall taste was well rounded without over pronounced alcohol ruining the show. The finish was nice and smooth.

Expert Perspective:
The nose is filled with dark berry fruit. Blueberry and rich cherry are accentuated with a sense of sweet spice. The complexity indicates to me a potential for a complex and rewarding Syrah.

The palate followed through with different notes of jammy fruit. Cherry, raspberry, and blueberry were all present and intermingled seemingly in equal fashion. Following was a smooth baker???s chocolate that added a nice sense of depth. A very well balanced wine.

89/100

2004 Charles Creek La Vista Cabernet Sauvignon

???The Charles Creek 2004 La Vista Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from the legendary Stagecoach Vineyard of Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon grown on this site is prized for its intensity and complexity of flavor, and the La Vista Cabernet from Charles Creek is no exception.??? ??? GMWC packet.
Beginner Perspective:
The cabernet sauvignon seemed like a dark brick kind of red, as opposed to the inky Syrah we tasted earlier. The nose, however, DID remind me a lot of that Syrah. Jammy blackberry was the most predominant aroma, and I wasn???t able to dig anything deeper out of it.

The taste was also jammy, but what stood out to me was the solid alcohol structure. Not overbearing, but certainly present was an alcoholic kick. I thought it was refreshing and added a sense of presence to the wine.

Expert Perspective:
Spicy black cherry explodes from the nose. Alcoholic heat indicates that this wine has a lot of attitude ??? but whether or not that will pay off has yet to be determined.

The palate is green, vegetative, and not overly fruit forward. Very interesting for a wine of this kind. There are notes of dark chocolate and I am even sensing some forest floor activity. The last note I am able to detect is a slight bit of mushroom. An intriguing wine.

87/100

Other notables about the Platinum Series:
If you liked the New Years selection here, don???t miss out on the next batch. Click here to make it yours.

Members of this club receive a package that includes detailed histories of each bottle, a special note from the producer, and information about the wine???s production.
]]> http://www.classicwines.com/articles/make-it-a-new-years-worth-remembering http://www.classicwines.com/articles/make-it-a-new-years-worth-remembering
First and foremost, we have to discuss Champagne. The staple of your New Years night, picking a quality Champagne can be critical. First, it is generally accepted that whether you choose Champagne or sparkling white wine, it???s the taste that matters rather than the place of origin. While it???s nice to drink Champagne from the Champagne region, it certainly isn???t necessary. That being said, here are some criteria on which to make your selection.

Top End Champagne
Veuve Clicquot ??? Veuve is one of the undisputed king???s of Champagne. With a brand name as recognizable as their signature yellow label, Veuve Clicquot is an excellent choice if you want a little wow factor for your guests.

Veuve can vary in price depending on vintage and store location, but expect to dish out a few dollars to pay for the quality and brand name.

Krug ??? "As a Champagne, it is distinctive and easily recognized by taste due to the house's policy of complete barrel fermentation and very extended lees aging; on the nose, Krug is identified by its strongly developed and aged nutty lees influence and autolytic notes on the nose"

Along with Veuve, Krug contains that ???wow??? factor. Serving Krug indicates that you consider this New Years a real occasion. Once again you can expect to pay some bucks ??? but it might just be worth it.

Economical Champagne
Barefoot Bubbly ??? It???s a little silly, it???s a little irreverent???but dang it if it isn???t good! Barefoot is something you can get a whole bunch of and be confident that it will keep all your guests happy. Averaging in at about $10 a bottle, this won???t break the bank. It might even start up a conversation as people wonder if it was actually made with bare feet! (It wasn???t, that name is an homage to old wine making methods).

Roederer Estate Brut ??? A bit more than the Barefoot (this bottle is just shy of $20), but very well received. With taste notes that seem to please the pantheon of palates, from beginner to expert, Roederer Estate produces one accessible, yet enjoyable wine. This is one you can serve with a bit of pride without having to take out a second mortgage.

So, Champagne aside, what else is extremely necessary to make your New Years a success? Something to compensate for all that drinking???of course.

Let???s chat about hangovers.

Hangover Prevention and Treatment
Chaser ??? It???s a pill you take before you get to serious drinking. Chaser "is an amazing hangover pill to help prevent hangover headaches, is safe, and contains no aspirin or Acetaminophen". Upon browsing user reviews, there seems to be a good general consensus regarding the effectiveness of the product.

However, a lot of people attribute good results to drinking a lot of water along with the pill. Since hangovers are mostly due to dehydration, drinking water before your New Years festivities is just good general advice.

Coffee ??? Have plenty on hand, both during your event and afterward. Hopefully at your party there will be a few designated drivers around, and they will want something to keep them occupied and alert. Coffee is exactly the thing you should have available to them. If you???d like to offer them something interesting too, check out Jax Coffee House for real coffee, and not just that freeze-dried stuff.


Whatever time zone you???ll be in when celebrating the New Year, make sure you do it safe and smart! Give your guests something to remember, and hey ??? stick to your resolution this time!

Need great wine and Champagne deals for New Years? Check out DrinkUpNY.com stat!
]]> http://www.classicwines.com/articles/top-5-holiday-must-haves http://www.classicwines.com/articles/top-5-holiday-must-haves
There's always something that slips by unnoticed until it's too late. In this hectic holiday season, it can be very easy to forget some common accommodations that your guests might be expecting. In order to help avoid these mishaps, I???ve compiled here a list of household things worth double checking.

A Bottle of Red, A Bottle of Bubbly

We are a wine website so I would be remiss if I didn???t start off by talking about wine. You???ll likely have guests that range in wine knowledge, but expect at least a few wine novices. Have some simple, easy-drinking bottles on hand that everyone can enjoy.

The wine connoisseur in you may want to present Barberesco right off the bat, but a very simple California Merlot may speak to the common palate a bit better. The same is true for whites. If you???re feeling especially generous and giving, you may even toss in a bottle of Arbor Mist.

Don???t forget, with the New Year rapidly approaching, Champagne is almost a must for your shindig.

Clean Wine Glasses

Here???s a biggie ??? make sure you have a full assortment of wine glasses on hand. Under normal circumstances it???s ok to have 2-4 clean glasses around, but depending on the size of your crowd, a lot more might be needed. If someone wants to make a toast, you???ll need glasses and flutes for every adult in attendance.

Check out our selection if you???re in need of some more glasswear.

Toiletries

Soap, paper towels, toilet paper???these things go quickly when there are many people at your place. Do a double stocking of all the necessary toiletries to avoid any embarrassing situations.

Coffee

Wine? Eggnog? Soda? These drinks pale in comparison to the overall acceptance of coffee during social get-togethers and meals. Coffee is a staple of proper event hosting and it???s important to have plenty around.

Of course, you could buy an economy size tub of Folgers or Maxwell House, but since this is a special occasion and conversations need to be kept lively, I recommend something a little more interesting. Something a little more exotic and unique.

For coffee that speaks of quality and individuality, I point you toward Jax Coffee House. Jax is a roastery that also runs AromaPromotions.com. At Aroma Promotions, you can put your brand name on gift boxes of coffee that you can either hand out as gifts to your guests, or use as great conversation pieces at your get-togethers.

Common Curealls

With feasting and drinking comes headaches and stomach aches. Fill up on Pepto Bismol, Tylenol, and Advil. There???s going to be SOMEONE who is having an off day, so be ready for them and don???t let aches and pains spoil your evening.

Well that???s it! Hopefully this list will help make your party a success (or at least, a non-disaster). If you can avoid these common pitfalls and make your guests happy, I???m sure your holidays will be both healthful and happy.

All the best, and have a great holiday!


]]> http://www.classicwines.com/articles/gold-medal-wine-club-diamond-series http://www.classicwines.com/articles/gold-medal-wine-club-diamond-series
How can this article benefit you? During our tasting, we utilized a wide range of wine drinkers and asked them each to sample the bottles honestly and create their own notes. By gathering both a beginner and expert perspective, you can learn and compare with us no matter what your personal level of experience. Enjoy!

Diamond Series Intro
"The Diamond Series provides a unique opportunity for a fortunate few to enjoy the ultimate wine tasting adventure. These extraordinary wines are all highly sought-after and strictly allocated to a very limited audience...[this] is the most exclusive series we offer" - GMWC packet

The Diamond Series provides you with high roller action for a very reasonable rate. It???s extremely difficult to appreciate wine to its fullest degree if you never get to experience top-of-the-line bottles, and the Diamond Series takes the guess work out of finding those bottles. Almost every wine in this series received a rating of 93 points or higher...so if you???ve had your fill of mediocre bottles, taste along with us as we explore the Diamond Series -

2005 Vergari Pinot Noir "Van der Kamp Vineyard" Sonoma Mountain
"After years of experience working at wineries on three different continents, David Vergari has found his niche making seamless, world-class Pinot Noirs from the Sonoma Mountains, many of which are some of the most sought after Pinots in California. The 2005 Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir is truly one of Vergari???s greatest achievements thus far." - GMWC packet

Beginner Perspective:
The color was a ruby red that is indicative of Pinot Noir. Of all the red varietals, I think Pinot has one of the most immediately noticeable colorations.

The nose had a compelling mixture of earthy tones with classic Pinot fruit. No shortage of dark berries here and even a hint of dark chocolate, but I had to spend a little time to finally come to that conclusion. The nose required patience and attention.

The taste was noticeably acidic and brought a solid dose of alcohol, but not too much. The mid-palate contained a definite kick and the finish was well balanced.

Expert Perspective:
Almost a brick-toned color to this wine, lovely cool-weather nose, not quite Burgundian in style but certainly doesn???t have all the lush, bold fruit of the, for example, Russian River Valley fruit. Very well integrated oak that doesn???t overwhelm the cherry, and there is a gentle sense of perfumed spiciness on the nose, sweet tobacco too.

Great structure on the palate, bright acidity and nice soft tannins, the structure is here for 2 - 5 years of evolution, and I think that the tobacco, spice notes, vanilla and other oak characteristics will really develop nicely. This is all about finesse - cherry and a hint of dried thyme, very balanced, juicy and earthy at the same time.

Lightly grilled lighter meats, perhaps game birds with a mushroom fricassee would work well here. Good concentration on a lightish frame. Cocoa on the nose too, but bittersweet, not chocolatey.

91 / 100.

2003 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino
"It???s not often a winery can continually release 95+ rated vintages, but its become a regular occurrence at Valdicava, including an impossible 100-point-rated wine for their 2001 vintage. The concept at Valdicava is to first nurture a great respect for the tradition and flavors of Montalcino, while at the same time valuing their own individual character." - GMWC packet.

Beginner Perspective:
The Valdicava Brunello starts of with a very rich red color. There is no mistaking this for the Pinot accompanying this bottle. The nose is extremely interesting. I???ve heard terms like 'barnyard' and 'hay' used to describe wines before, but was never able to detect it myself. This wine introduced me to those characters. On top of that, there is a vegetal component that doesn???t overpower the beautiful natural fruits notes of Brunello.

The taste is extraordinarily well balanced. Drinking this wine invited me into intellectual examination. The earthy, hay components detected on the nose were present during tasting, but what kept impressing me was the strong tannin structure that left me wanting more.

Expert Perspective:
Beautiful, perfumed and floral Brunello aspects. Mushrooms, flowers, and leather on the nose. There???s a real sense of depth to the nose here, dried figs too, but there is also a delicacy. The ripe plum fruit starts to make itself known too on the nose.

The tannins and acid suggest a long lifetime in the cellar in the future for this wine, I would say 5 - 15 years minimum as this is a good, old-fashioned style of Brunello and built for the long-haul, hint of vague bell pepper on the nose keeps it fresh. Warm licorice and brick flavors on the palate too, and despite the strength of the tannins, the finish rolls on and on and grows more floral as it does so, raspberry eventually comes out on the finish too, as does more new-belt leather. Also, red clay earth on the nose with a bit of air.

93 / 100.

Other notables about the Diamond Series:
If you???d like to find out more about the prestigious diamond series, click here.

Members of this club receive a very impressive package that includes detailed histories of each bottle and separately sheathed tasting histories for easy storage in a notebook.
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How can this article benefit you? During our tasting, we gathered a wide range of wine drinkers and asked them each to sample the bottles honestly and create their own notes. By having both a beginner and expert perspective, you can learn and compare with us no matter what your personal level of experience. Enjoy!

Pinot Noir Series Intro
???Our NEW Series exclusively features captivating world-class Pinot Noirs from California and around the world. Every other month, receive two bottles of highly regarded, hard-to-find Pinots from top winemakers and discover why this grape has become one of the world???s most celebrated varietals. Learn about the wines and wineries in an informative, color publication and enjoy a rewarding tasting experience.??? ??? GMWC packet

The Pinot Noir series provides a unique, encompassing experience. The folks at Gold Medal Wine Club really went all out to make sure recipients of this package enjoy the history, taste, and community involved with Pinot Noir. The newsletter-style publications that arrive with each shipment go above and beyond normal expectation. The only question is???are the wines any good!? Let???s find out:

2006 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
???Inspired by the principles of organic farming and sustainable agriculture, Alma Rosa honors the undeniable relationship between the healthiness of the soil, the energy of the vines, and ultimately, the soul of the wine.??? ??? GMWC packet

Beginner Perspective:
The Alma Rosa is a fun wine, I???m liking it right off the bat. Very pleasant nose that is driven by berry. The good thing is, once I spent a little time with it, I could detect some deeper aromas. Dark chocolate and something foresty and natural.

The taste did not disappoint either. It exuded what you would normally expect from a Pinot, but did it really well. Great balance and a solid finish. I would drink this at dinner or just for fun.

Expert Perspective:
Smells like wild-berry pie with its classic Santa Barbara fruit-sweetness but not overwhelming, just a natural expression of the nose of the grape in the appellation. Also carries a bit of forest-floor funk that counters the exuberant fruit nicely; quite a round nose.

More acid structure on the palate than the nose implies; comes in a wave of mouth-filling cherries with a hint of the very well-integrated oak softening it up. Silky and seductive in a very American way, and that???s not a bad thing at all.

91 / 100

2006 Lioco Pinot Noir, Chalone
???An emerging world-class wine entity in northern California, Lioco???s core belief is based on finding compelling vineyard sites, restraining their winemaking approach, and thus ???building wines from the ground up.?????? ??? GMWC packet.

Beginner Perspective:
The Lioco is a bit lighter than the Alma Rosa. It???s interesting to note that even inside a single varietal (pinot noir), there can be differences in every aspect ??? including color.

The Lioco has an interesting nose in that Pinot berry is mixed with something vegetal. Bell pepper, lemon rind, and a bit of something zesty all come through.

I found this wine very easy to drink. The tannins were mild, but present enough to keep things interesting. The finish was long and dry. Most dominant to me was a sense of cherry and black berry.

Expert Perspective:
Alcohol a bit overwhelming, but there are cranberry and autumn notes on the nose. There???s also an herbaceousness that strikes me as unusual.

There???s a weight to the wine on the palate, as well as a real sense of concentration, but I can???t help but wonder what???s been lost by producing such a big, brawny Pinot Noir. Tobacco and butterscotch on the nose comes out eventually and is quite pleasant. There???s a hint of mushroom on the finish, which reminds me of candy-coated apples. For fans of a modern style, this will be a crowd-pleaser. Still has the stuffing and extract to go for quite some time, and might develop more nuance in 3-6 years.

87 / 100.

Other notables about the Pinot Noir Series:
If you???d like to find out more about the pinot noir series, click here.

Members of this club receive a comprehensive package that includes two bottles every other month, club information, and top-notch newsletters about the bottles in each shipment.


]]> http://www.classicwines.com/articles/product-review-wine-badgetm http://www.classicwines.com/articles/product-review-wine-badgetm Wine Badge, by Jacogo, is a product so useful that I???m surprised it wasn???t invented before now.

When you look at a wine cellar or refrigerator is it obvious to you which bottles are which? Even for a storage unit that contains 15-20 bottles, are the identities of each bottle apparent? I would bet not. Now imagine that same problem for a 300 bottle cellar. There are very few solutions that leave your cellar or refrigerator looking organized and sophisticated. Wine Badge noticed this problem and created their solution.

Inside the Wine Badge kit are identification slips, plastic ???badges???, and bottom-bottle straps. The id slips come in two different colors, allowing for immediate identification between red and white wines. On each slip is a space for producer, varietal, and vintage (or any other pertinent information you may want to add). The id slip goes into the badge, which has a piece of Velcro on the back of it. The other side of the Velcro can easily be placed anywhere on your wine bottle, but clearly the top would the most valuable location.

Just in case you have the kind of wine rack that alternates front to back, the bottom-bottle straps slip on very easily and allow badges to be fastened just like the top ones.

Using the Wine Badge was extremely easy and enjoyable. I was impressed by the quality of the product as well as the immediate usability. It seems completely unnecessary to me now to own a large collection of wine and still struggle with finding the right bottle.

I have personally been in situations where I quickly wanted to locate a wine that would be perfect for a meal or that I wanted to share with guests. Rather than sifting through my collection, I could have used Wine Badge to breeze right through the search process and skip right to enjoying the wine.

Honestly, if you???re looking for a gift to give a wine lover, I would look no further. Click here to get your own Wine Badge set.]]> http://www.classicwines.com/articles/gold-medal-wine-club-platinum-series http://www.classicwines.com/articles/gold-medal-wine-club-platinum-series
How can this article benefit you? During our tasting, we utilized a wide range of wine drinkers and asked them each to sample the bottles honestly and create their own notes. By gathering both a beginner and expert perspective, you can learn and compare with us no matter what your personal level of experience. Enjoy!

Platinum Series Intro
???Platinum Series recipients have the rare opportunity to journey into the cellars of California???s hidden treasure of world-class wineries. Each delivery brings you top-rated wines, hand-crafted in small lots of 100s, not 1000s of cases. Wines rated in the 90s, multiple Gold Medals and/or Best of Class type of distinctions ??? all worth raving about.??? ??? GMWC packet

As its name suggests, the Platinum Series is concerned with high end quality. This California-centric club provides members with hard-to-get bottles that have scored very well with some of the world???s top tasters.

2006 Loring Pinot Noir (Cargasacchi Vineyard)

???Sourced from one of the most desirable vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, Loring???s 2006 Cargasacchi Vineyard Pinot Noir is among the best Pinots Brian Loring has ever produced.??? ??? GMWC packet

Beginner Perspective:
First impression suggests that this is a classic Pinot. The color is light, translucent. Not the deep red you might get with a cabernet sauvignon.

The nose is a bit closed, meaning I can???t seem to detect any unusual or subtle aromas. This probably should have been decanted for an hour or so. I???m getting some good pinot-style red berry and even a little bit of pool water.

The taste is non-complex, but still very pleasant. The alcohol is not overpowering, yet has enough structure to make a nice finish. The same pinot-style berry that I caught on the nose is present here, and also a subtle hint of oaking.

Expert Perspective:
Lush fruit on the nose, classic California expression of the grape???s fruit character. Perhaps a bit hot, oak still needs a bit of time to integrate but there are nice vanilla and cinnamon notes; also, typical damp earth notes.

Heat from the alcohol is also apparent on the palate, but there???s enough ripe berry and cherry fruit here to withstand it, and just like the nose, the palate is still quite young and needs to come together. This wine almost seems a bit nervous (perhaps that is from shipment). A creaminess develops on the nose with time indicating a softer future once it all falls into place a bit better.

Sweet brown spice develops on the nose, very New World in style, acid is solid enough to hold it all together as it begins to knit together more completely, and the medium-grained tannins promise solid medium-length aging potential.

Finish is mostly fruit in the cherry arena. Dark cherry comes to dominate the palate eventually. Finish is a touch too short. Either needs decanting or 6 ??? 12 months in the bottle to calm down. After that, I would predict 3 ??? 5 years of development in the cellar should be interesting. Nice with duck-breast medallionas.

86 / 100.

2004 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Claret (Napa Valley)

???A proprietary blend that???s earned Buoncristiani an incredible reputation, the 2004 O.P.C. has quickly become a hot commodity. According to Ronn Wiegand, Master Sommelier and publisher of Restaurant Wine Magazine, ???The Buoncristiani O.P.C. is just plain delicious; a wonderful blend and very attractively priced.?????? ??? GMWC packet.

Beginner Perspective:
The Buoncristiani appears to be a very serious wine. The color is a deep red, and when swirling, reminds me of the classic Crayola red that you get in crayon boxes.

The nose is powerful and complex. It took me a minute or so to get passed the alcohol, but once it started to open up I detected some interesting characteristics. There was a vegetal, foresty component ??? not like autumn, but more of a musty forest floor. Beneath that were notes of dark chocolate.

The taste followed suit with the nose. Berry was there, of course; but mixed in was that forest and chocolate that I had detected earlier. The alcohol served as a minor hurdle when detecting the more subtle flavors, but all in all, a very intellectual and enjoyable wine.

Expert Perspective:
Buttery and creamy character on the nose; dark berries and currants, as well as a certain dried-meat character, like Bresaola; then caramel. This nose is all about dark tones and richness, like a velvety blanket.

This wine would benefit from time to come together???it???s showing its youthfulness at this point, and the elements have not yet really integrated. I feel like the cab might be bringing a touch of green; the tannins are chewy and the wine has enough stuffing to keep on evolving???likely developing tea, tobacco, and some subtle brown spice characteristics???for years. Drink 2011-2019.

88 / 100

Other notables about the Platinum Series:
If you???d like to experience these wines (and others) for yourself, get involved today!.

Members of this club receive a package that includes detailed histories of each bottle, a special note from the producer, and information about the wine???s production.]]> http://www.classicwines.com/articles/classic-wines-spotlight-gold-medal-wine-club http://www.classicwines.com/articles/classic-wines-spotlight-gold-medal-wine-club getting big these days. It makes sense - they deliver quality wines to your doorstep each and every month. It's like a mini-Christmas 12 times a year.

Wine clubs are also great for building communities. By connecting wine lovers all across the country, progressive clubs can create real world or online social networks. Just the very nature of receiving new wines every month prompts recipients to start their own wine circles (After all, it???s tough to finish all of those bottles yourself).

Gold Medal Wine Club is an establishment that is leading the way when it comes to customer service and innovation. Classic Wines had the chance to sit down with them and find out more about their operations.

CW: Thanks for joining us today guys. Could you tell us a little bit about what Gold Medal does?

GM: The Gold Medal Wine Club searches for small production, award-winning wines from the world???s best boutique wineries and delivers them direct to wine enthusiasts across the country. These highly allocated, hard-to-find wines are usually only available at the winery and not typically found in stores.

CW: How do you go about selecting which wines actually make the cut?

GW: The wines featured in each of our 5 Series must meet strict selection criterion that includes multiple medals from major wine competitions, and high ratings from national wine publications such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, and Robert Parker???s The Wine Advocate.

CW: Seeing as how there are so many wine clubs out there (and the number is growing every day), what sets Gold Medal apart?

GW: All visitors to the Gold Medal Wine Store receive incredible discounts off winery direct prices. Gold Medal Wine Club members receive greater discounts than visitors, receive additional discounts for multiple series memberships, and also receive additional loyalty discounts based on membership longevity at checkout.

CW: Could you talk a little bit more about the different programs you offer? I understand you have a fairly wide variety of clubs to choose from, aimed toward both high end collectors and budget oriented wine lovers.

CW: That???s true. We offer 5 different wine club series so you can find one or more that suits your particular wine preferences and your budget. We have small production, hard-to-find, award winning wines from California and the world???s best small wineries. Each wine we feature is offered at an incredible value and we guarantee you will truly enjoy them.

Just a little information about each of our main clubs:

Wine Criteria for Pinot Series
NEW! Every other month, two bottles of captivating, world-class Pinots from California and around the world are featured within the Pinot Noir Series. Each Pinot is a highly regarded, hard-to-find selection from top winemakers, with a very limited production. This Series brings you some of the finest ultra-premium Pinots from the best boutique family wineries.

Wine Criteria for Platinum Series
Our upper-level wine club series, the Platinum Series features ultra-premium 90+ rated wines from California???s best small wineries. Platinum Series wines are collectible, special selections ?" many with multiple Gold Medals and frequently produced in hundreds of cases, not thousands. Each month, two of these rare, exquisite wines are delivered directly to your doorstep.

Wine Criteria for International Series
Outstanding wines from the great, boutique wineries of the world. The International Series features premium wines imported exclusively for Gold Medal Wine Club, which means they typically can???t be found anywhere else in the United States! Each quarterly delivery is accompanied by our unique Adventure Package, which includes tasty, imported gourmet food products from the featured country.

Wine Criteria for Diamond Series
Our exclusive, top-of-the-line wine club, the Diamond Series showcases legendary wines from California and the world???s most renowned wineries. Each quarterly shipment features two hand-selected, highly allocated 93+ rated wines providing for the ultimate wine tasting experience. Based on the incredibly low production of these legendary wines, the Diamond Series is limited to 500 members.

Wine Criteria for Plus Series
The Plus! Program is a special add-on option to your regular scheduled wine deliveries in the Gold Series, Platinum Series, and Diamond Series. It???s a great way to discover more outstanding hard-to-find selections from California???s best small wineries. Wines featured in the Plus! Program always meet, and typically exceed, the criteria for the individual Series the wines are featured in.

CW: Very neat programs. Thank you for spending some time with us, and if anyone was on the fence about joining a wine club???maybe this helped give them the nudge they needed!


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When it comes to food and wine pairings, holiday dinners can be considered the Superbowl. Appetizers, side dishes, and entrees all abound in many different varieties, making traditional pairing methods difficult. Despite this complexity, there are still some varietals that get consistently picked up more often than others.

???When it comes to reds, I lean towards Pinot Noir every year??? said Randy Torban, wine professional and director of business at ClassicWines.com. ???It???s light enough that it doesn???t overburden side dishes that have delicate taste profiles, but sturdy enough to hold up to turkey.???

Other red wines that generally see an uptick for a turkey dinner include Beaujolais, Zinfandel, and Syrah. Beaujolais is very light and fruity and therefore offers itself well to a variety of foods. Zinfandel and Syrah provide solid structure and won???t be overtaken by thick gravies or dark meat.

Kamal Mukherjee of DrinkUpNY.com and DrinkUpForLess.com weighed in from the business perspective: ???As we approach the winter and holidays, sale of reds are increasing. However, due to the economic stress, customers are insisting on value. Customers who used to buy $40 bottle are now shopping for $20 or $25 price tag.???

On the white side of things, Germany is a big player. ???Riesling and Gewurtztraminer are both very good selections for a meal like this,??? said Torban. ???Crisp???light???refreshing???great for food that can bog you down.???

Mukherjee found other intriguing trends: ???Sale of Cava and Prosecco are much higher than Champagne. New world wines, especially wine from Argentina and Chile are capturing market share in leaps and bounds during this economic down turn of our holiday season.???

Economical pairings are all well and good, but what if you want to really stun your dinner guests? What if you???d like to find that just-right pairing for every course you???re serving? Kamal Mukherjee has you covered. In preparation for the coming season, Mukherjee prepared a special section of his website designed specially to guide to wines available for purchase online that match your desired dish.

Using this trending info and Mukherjee???s excellent buyer???s guide, it???s very unlikely you???ll get caught flat-footed the day of your holiday feast! www.drinkupny.com.]]>