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Dear Friend,

The universe of wine is vast and the adventure of discovering its terrain a life-long pursuit. We at CH Wine are knee-deep in it. I can’t tell you how excited I am about the world of wine that is opening up before us…Bordeaux, Barolo, Brunello, Burgundy, Rioja and the Rhone are suddenly opening their cellar doors to us and to you. The great thing about European producers is they are extremely open to the négociant and happy to sell me their top quality wines already in the bottle and ready for release. Bloody brilliant. Please join me on this vinous journey of discovery and pleasure.

Today’s first release Lot 272 2009 Rioja “Vendimmia Seleccionada” (Vintage Selection) is a great place to pick back up where we left off with our French releases earlier this year. 100% Tempranillo grown on terraces up off the plains of Rioja, the Vintage Selection moniker denotes the better terroir from which this wine hails. Produced in a modern style that seeks to balance authenticity with accessibility, Lot 272 seamlessly combines the earthy qualities of old school Rioja with the faceted fruit of modern viticulture and deftly deployed oak. And yes, while this is a Rioja even a Napa Cabernet lover will enjoy, it is not to be mistaken with the over-ripe, over-oaked Spanish wines that are now attacking our borders. Lot 272 is packed with archetypal red cherry fruit, blackberry, earthy tobacco and licorice notes. The wine is impeccably balanced with integrated tannins and a savory finish. Pure pleasure.

We are also releasing today Lot 313 2010 California Field Blend (100% Lodi fruit). We decided to release them together because there is a vein of similarity here; whereas, archetypal Rioja tends towards the leaner acidic side of the equation, archetypal Lodi Zinfandel tends towards the hot and syrupy and now the oaky side of the spectrum. Lot 313, a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Carignane, is an exercise in gorgeously fruited, yet well structured wine that is as good a reflection from the dirt it hails as our Rioja is of its terroir. The point here is that both of these wines combine the best of the old and the new, the classic and the updated…Purity of Essence if you will. If you loved Lot 244, you need to try Lot 313.

Now, onto the question of what is a Field Blend? At its simplest, Field Blends are the result of a certain way of propagating vineyards in early 20th century California Viticulture (a technique most certainly learned from Europe however) wherein various vines were planted in a vineyard and the underperformers had their heads lopped off to be replaced by budwood from the best performers. Trial and Error or Darwinianism at its best if you will. Lot 313 is, of course, a fanciful interpretation of this technique but the result is anything but. Lot 313 has a wonderfully smoky nose interwoven with blueberry, raspberry, kirsch and black pepper. The palate is deeply concentrated with silky tannins and a rich, multi-faceted juicy finish. With framing acidity and a bold backbone playing off of the lively fruit, this wine is affable while showing great sophistication.

Oh, and if black pepper intrigues you, make sure to try Lot 296 2008 Crozes Hermitage…the aromatics alone are worth the price of entry.

As always, if you have any questions regarding these, or any of our other wines, please don't hesitate to call us at 1-800-805-1971 or email us.  We are always happy to hear from you.

Cheers!


Cameron Hughes

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