March Wine Club Selections 2014

The Oconee Wine Club

March 2014

The red wine for this month is the Veramonte El Caballero Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 from Chile.  Veramonte was founded in 1990 as a vineyard-based winery whose mission is to produce high quality wines that accurately, authentically express varietal characteristics via Chile’s unique terroirs — the combined environment of soil, topography, climate and people. Our commitment to nurturing the ties of every wine to its soil or “sense of place” reflects a dedication to produce terroir expressive wines.

Veramonte is located in Casablanca Valley, and wines are made from estate fruit from both the Casablanca estate, ideal for the development of white and cool climate wines & Colchagua property, well-known for producing quality red wine grapes.

The Winery is a striking, modern facility that houses the latest technology and state of the art wine making, allowing to create authentic, vineyard expressive wines. Veramonte is dedicated to ultimate terroir premium wines.

90 Rating by Wine Spectator!

Firm and well-focused, with zesty red plum and wild berry flavors, supported by crisp acidity and chewy tannins. Green herb and spice notes appear on the finish. Drink now through 2018. 10,000 cases imported. –KM

Only $ 10.99 per bottle!

The white for this month is the Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2011 also from Chile.  Also rated 90 by Wine Spectator for $ 21.99 a bottle.

  • King Philip V of Spain bestowed the noble title “MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA” upon José de Santiago Concha y Salvatierra for his meritorious work as Governor of Chile and Knight of Calatrava in 1718.
  • Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay from Santa Isabel in Pirque was launched in 1989.
  • Marcelo Papa becomes chief winemaker of Marques de Casa Concha in 1999.
  • The origin of Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay switched to the Limari Valley. This new Marques origin reflects the constant challenge of delivering the finest quality and elegant wines while retaining the style, character and values of the brand in 2008.
  • Rated 90 by Wine Spectator in March of 2013.  “This smoky white opens up with dense pineapple, Pink Lady apple and zesty citrus notes that are tightly wound on a bright, medium-bodied frame. Drink now. 16,500 cases made. –NW”

Connoisseurs Club

The red for this month is the 2010 Xavier Vins Vacqueyras ( $34.99 Retail) made from 50% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre, and 20% Grenache.  The wine is named after the winemaker Xavier Vignon, one of the most highly renowned oenologists in Chateauneuf de Pape, France.    Vacqueyras is a French wine Appellation in the southern Rhone wine region of France, along the banks of the River Ouveze.  It is primarily a red wine region with some white and rosé wines being produced. Being a little brother of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and, arguably, Gigondas, the wine is moderately prestigious and can yield pleasing results when treated correctly.

Rated 91 by Robert Paker, “The 2010 Vacqueyras was made from a somewhat unusual blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache, most of it from the Plateau de Garrigue, near Sarrians in Vacqueyras. This rich effort reveals lots of forest floor, roasted herb, blackberry and cassis notes as well as a hint of acacia flowers. Impeccably pure, rich and long, it should drink well for 6-8 years. ” 

The white for this month is the Chateau Brondelle 2011 from the Graves area of Bordeaux France.  Château Brondelle is located 2 km south of Langon and 50 km southeast of Bordeaux in the Graves region of Bordeaux, so named for the famous gravel soils that produce lovely, mineral, white wines. This 62 acre estate has been in the same family since the end of the 19th century and its wines were noted as early as 1929. Since 1968, this property has been completely replanted and the present owner, Jean-Noel Belloc, is creating an outstanding wine that express fully the potential of the terroir.

This is a delightfully fresh and lively wine. It displays lovely aromas of citrus and floral notes. It holds lots of weight and complexity in the mouth yet remains light and youthful. A fantastic white Bordeaux for only $ 19.99 a bottle!  Great with seafood and light chicken dishes.