Dear Friends,

I doubt many of you know that I launched my career as a negociant with Lot 1 Lodi Syrah some 12 years ago (if you do know, count yourself amongst the true veteran CHWiners!). Forever tarred by Creedence Clearwater and tossed in with the greater “Central Valley” moniker, Lodi has always been the tallest midget in the circus and, until recently, largely responsible for gobs of goopy White Zinfandel. However, the quality push out here over the last two decades has been remarkable. With its combination of Delta breezes, huge diurnal swing, and sandy/granitic alluvials washed down from the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lodi has always been capable of more, and now the financial incentives are there for producers to finally do it. Few regions in CA are taking the risks the way Lodi is, but it’s paying off handsomely and the value side of the equation, as fans of CHWine are well aware, is certainly amongst the best in the state. Lodi is cool people, very cool.

Speaking of deals, I’d like to offer up today’s release, Lot 540 2015 Lodi Cabernet, as a candidate for this year's Best Value in Cabernet. This wondrous fruit bomb comes from one of Lodi’s best wineries known for fantastically supercharged reds. Even then, of course, we couldn’t resist tinkering and the final blend incorporates choice barrels from our Meteor and Stagecoach Vineyard programs, taking it up another notch. “Booyah” can be appropriately applied here.

Lot 540 has a deliciously dense purple color and leaps out of the glass with an effusive perfume of plum and currant, spicy licorice and blackberry, all underpinned with nice cedary oak. Crème de Cassis and blackberry fruit explode across the palate in a juicy, hedonistic flourish that will keep you coming back for more. This is the ultimate everyday Cabernet, and hands down your best bet for Holiday party wine! Oh yeah, don’t let the young vintage scare you off, this wine is ready to rock NOW.

As a New Release special offer, go ahead and take 15% off any purchase of one case or more through Wednesday night at midnight (Wine Club members get 20% off) as long as the order includes one bottle of Lot 540 (mix and match the whole store!).

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance with your order, please don’t hesitate to email us or call 800-805-1971.

Cheers!