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Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

2006 marks the third vintage for Sojourn's flagship Pinot Noir with fruit from Sonoma's Sangiacomo Vineyards. Medium ruby in color, the nose exudes floral overtones with ripe cherries and hints of spice. On the palate, sweet cherries and raspberries dominate, along with rich spice and complex earthiness. This wine is a bit more elegant and reserved in style than its predecessors, and you will love it's silky texture and deep flavor profile. This is a Pinot that needs time in the glass to open up, but once it does, your patience will be greatly rewarded. Try pairing the Sojourn 2006 Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir with garlic prime rib and barbequed pork skewers.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

Named One of the Top Wineries in the World by the Professional Wine Buyers Competition, Riverbench Winery has been profiled as a world-class producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The 2006 Estate Pinot Noir is among the first releases from the winery, and an excellent precedent for what's yet to come. The vivid burgundy color intrigues as it splashes into the glass, while the lush aromas of red fruit are full of enticement. Sumptuous flavors of strawberries and mulberries coat the palate, but the wine remains light; it perfectly complements an herbed tomato pie or spicy Thai risotto with calamari.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

Line Shack's 2007 Sauvignon Blanc was produced from vineyards located in Southern Monterey County. In 2004, the Balentine family began their quest to produce world class Sauvignon Blanc from the well-known region, and decided on small estate vineyards in the San Lucas AVA in the foothills of the Southern Salinas Valley. This stylish, dry and refreshing flavored wine accurately shows the AVA's unique characteristics and makes it easy to see why Line Shack has achieved Gold Medals with three out of their last four vintages. The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc was a Gold Medal winner at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. Its tangy aromas of citrus, pineapple and melon lead into crisp fruit flavors of grapefruit and guava before a clean, enjoyably refreshing finish. The complex flavors and nice balance achieved in this Sauvignon Blanc are qualities characteristic of the San Lucas AVA, and matched with Line Shack's strict quality standards, the finished product is an impressive accomplishment. Winemaker Bob Balentine recommends serving the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc chilled with fresh cracked crab, fish, salads, and light pasta dishes. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy now until 2010.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

The Line Shack 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from small estate vineyards in the new San Antonio Valley AVA in the heart of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. At elevations reaching up to 1,300 feet and approximately 12 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, these vineyards yield intense Cabernet Sauvignon varietal characteristics and complex flavors. Although this new winegrowing region is not typically known for its big, bold reds, owner/winemaker Bob Balentine proves that the area can produce some exciting Cabernet Sauvignon, and the critics agree. Awarded a Silver Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and a Silver Medal at the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Line Shack's 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a collage of mountain-grown fruit with an array of cherry, red currants, cola and vanilla oak spice flavors wrapped around balanced tannins and a smooth finish. A small percentage of the grapes came from Paso Robles' Sunbelt vineyard, which contributed the cherry and berry-like flavors in the finished wine. Try pairing the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon with grilled steaks and hearty red-sauced pastas. Aged 18 months in oak. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah. Enjoy now until 2015.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

Sauvignon Blanc is Buttonwood Farm's signature wine and the team rests their reputation on this time-honored grape. Produced from quarter-of-a-century-old-vines, this 2007 Sauvignon Blanc rewards with grapes of character, complexity, and a definite expression of "place." A Gold Medal winner at the Central Coast Wine Competition, this wine is crisp, refreshing, and focused. Pale straw in color with flashes of light chartreuse glistening in the glass, the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc reveals an expressive bouquet of kiwi, guava and lemon-lime. On the palate, the wine is light and lively with honeydew melon, lemon zest and a hint of fennel being complemented by the creamy, round textural components from the 10% addition of barrel-fermented estate Semillon. The finish is lasting, sleek and citrusy. Try pairing the Buttonwood 2007 Sauvignon Blanc with seafood, such as a tasty rendition of shrimp and scallop ceviche with touches of cilantro. 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Semillon. Enjoy now until 2011.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

Buttonwood's first harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon came in 1989, and they immediately recognized the potential of the vineyard to produce grapes that reflect all the best qualities of this varietal. Since then, the combination of the vineyard location, soil type and vineyard management techniques have produced marvelous fruit from which they have created luscious Cabernets with Gold and Silver Medals each release. This 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a Gold Medal Wine Club Special Selection and an exciting release from Buttonwood, showcasing a delicious range of dark berry fruit flavors and good structure with a nice balance. Pre-Released from the winery exclusively for Gold Medal Wine Club, we anticipate the Cabernet to collect its medals as the wine is sent out for review during the coming months. This Cabernet evokes impressive aromas of cola and dark cherry with flavors of pomegranate and dusty plum tinged with tobacco and cedar, held together on a framework of velvety tannins. Try pairing the Buttonwood 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon with lamb shanks rubbed with herbs d' Provence and braised in Cabernet, tomatoes, carrots and parsnips (see recipe on page 6). 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy now until 2015.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

Merlot, which means "young blackbird" in regional French dialect (most likely because of the striking blue-black hue of the grapes), has for years been one of the favorite wines at Buttonwood Farm Winery as well as the mainstay of red wine production. This "young blackbird" is a classic combination of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that creates a wine of depth and character that is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. A Special Pre-Release for our Gold Series members, the 2005 Merlot follows a procession of numerous Gold and Double Gold Medal vintages. With enough staying power to go the distance, the Buttonwood Merlot is delicious now but can be cellared and enjoyed for years to come. From its garnet hues to earthy aromas tinged with cola and cranberry, to flavors of allspice, sassafras, red plum, and baked cherries, the 2005 Merlot stands out as a very special wine. Try pairing the Buttonwood Merlot with a nice rib eye steak, grilled and finished with a dollop of tarragon butter. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Enjoy now until 2015.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

Trinitas Cellars only releases a limited quantity of Pinot Blanc each vintage, but the fruit-driven, full flavored wine is one of the more memorable white selections from the distinctive winery. Sourced from the Saralee's Vineyard in the middle of the cool Russian River Valley appellation, from a small block of vines called the Frog Patch, the Trinitas Pinot Blanc displays the best of the Trinitas factors - sun, soil and humanity. Awarded a Gold Medal from the Hilton Head Fine Wine Competition and 88 Points from Wine Enthusiast, this Pinot Blanc is dry but has the weight and richness from extended aging time in neutral oak barrels. Abundant with floral, melon and apple aromas with similar flavors on the palate, the Trinitas 2006 Pinot Blanc is fruit driven with a clean, refreshing finish that leaves you wanting more. A great wine to pair with food, we recommended smoky, citrus shrimp, grilled fish tacos, and vegetable stir fry. Aged 3 months in neutral oak. 100% Pinot Blanc. Enjoy now until 2012

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

Trinitas sources grapes from Highway 88 Ranch vineyard on the very southeast side of Lodi for their deep, intensely flavored Old Vine Petite Sirahs. With vines aging over 50 years old, this unique vineyard site produces some of the highest quality Petite Sirah in California. The Petite Sirahs from Trinitas Cellars have consistently garnered 90 point scores since 2003, and the 2005 vintage has also earned a 90 Point score from Wine Spectator to add to the growing collection. On the palate, ripe fruit flavors veer toward the jammy, spicy side, with wonderful red fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant flavors. The intensity and persistence of the flavors are supported by the firmly tannic structure, which will allow this Petite Sirah to age gracefully over time. Try pairing the Trinitas Cellars 2005 Old Vine Petite Sirah with hearty red meats, including mesquite grilled steak and rich pot roasts. Aged 14 months in oak. 100% Petite Sirah. Enjoy now until 2017.

Gold Medal Wine Club's Review:

The Trinitas 2005 Old Vine Cuvee is a classic California old world blend of Mataro, Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Alicante Bouschet from select vineyards around the little town of Oakley in the northeast corner of Contra Costa County. These stunning vineyards are the living heritage from early Italian and Portuguese farmers who originally settled in the area. A traditional 'old world' styled achievement, the 2005 Old Vine Cuvee was awarded a Double Gold Medal from the National Women's Wine Competition as well as a Gold Medal from the Hilton Head Fine Wine Competition. Carefully constructed to match the individual strengths of each varietal, the Old Vine Cuvee is reminiscent of traditional southern Rhone blends. This wine is fruit driven with notes of blackberries and blueberries with hints of vanilla. Full bodied, yet elegant, the Cuvee is vibrant with multiple layers of flavors and aromas leaving one's palate lingering for more. Try pairing the Trinitas 2005 Old Vine Cuvee with barbequed pork, ribs, and pot roast. 37% Mataro, 24% Zinfandel, 18% Carignane, 13% Petite Sirah, 8% Alicante Bouschet. Enjoy now until 2015.