Grand Argentinean Cabernet
Visit the Zuccardi family estate in Mendoza and you'll experience their world-famous hospitality. For the next best thing, a taste of their rich Gran Seleccíon Cabernet will show off their mastery of the classic Bordeaux grape. High in the Andes, Cabernet reaches its peak of pure fruit flavor. Winemaker Rodolfo Montenegro adds complexity with 12 months in French oak.
Black cherry and plum aromas give way to ripe, dark fruit flavors, with a chocolaty finish. Great with steak.
Silver-Medal Bordeaux in 2009
Next door to Saint-Emilion, winemakers in Côtes de Francs are proving they're serious about top quality. If you've never tried their great reds, 2009 ("an incredibly exciting vintage of opulence, power and richness," Robert Parker) is the perfect starting point. We took as many cases as we could of this stunner. And like the judges at the 2011 Concours Général Agricole (France's top show), your dinner guests will be impressed.
Classic red currant aromas. Silky texture and plump, summer berry flavors. Comes into its own with roasted red meats.
"Buy by the Car-Load" Italian Red
Maestro Filippo Baccalaro knows how to draw out the luscious character of Montepulciano, the star red grape of Abruzzo. Proof: top critic Robert Parker describes a previous vintage of Filippo's Montepulciano as "a wine to buy by the car-load." Look for more of the same with this food-friendly 2010. Add a splash to your homemade tomato sauce as a delicious secret weapon.
Look for dark berry and licorice aromas, lifted by subtle hints of violet. Velvety smooth with rich attractive spice notes.
Plum-Rich Napa Merlot
Exciting new find from Napa's Ramsden Estate, whose vineyards are a stone's throw from the famed Silveroak Cellars. Acclaimed winemaker Alison Crowe (one-time apprentice to the famous Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon) took this star-quality fruit and worked her magic. A generous 18-month slumber in both French and American oak completes the picture.
Smooth and ripe, brimming soft flavors of blueberry pie, mocha and warm vanilla spice. Great with pork and duck.
New Discovery for Cab Fans
Portugal made its mark on the wine world hundreds of years ago with Port, but these days its other wines are taking center stage. Just ask Jaime Quendera, maker of the "Best Wine in the World" according to the judges at the 2008 Vinalies show in Paris. You'll taste that same star quality in his Valoroso, which marries noble, plummy Cabernet with smooth, aromatic Castelão.
Heady black currant aromas introduce smooth cassis and dark cherry flavors. Delicious with pork tenderloin.
Heaven-Sent Rhône Red
Centuries ago, winemakers in the southern Rhône village of Plan de Dieu believed the incredible quality of their wines was due in part to divine intervention. Today, this tiny pocket of vineyards on "God's Plain" is one of only 20 villages allowed to append its name to the sought-after Côtes-du-Rhône Villages appellation. And thanks to a string of fine vintages, there's never been a better time to explore the Rhône.
Intense ruby color, with aromas and flavors of red cherry, strawberry and blackberry. Shows all the opulence of 2010.
Heroic Chilean Merlot
Merlot, the star of Saint-Emilion, is loved for its soft fruit. In Chile's endless sunshine and high altitudes, it develops thrilling depth of flavor — and "all of Terra Andina's wines are worthy of recommendation" (The Wine Advocate). Enjoy Oscar Salas' tribute to a Chilean patriot (full story on back label). Serve with roast turkey, and toast to independence.
Full of rich red fruit, with hints of toasty vanilla and tobacco. Soft, rounded tannins.
Full-Flavored Toro Find
Ricardo Sanz's family have been making wine in Spain's Rueda region for generations. His whites have been served at the super-exclusive El Bulli restaurant — but his delicious reds are evne more rare. For this gem, Ricardo went to his family's small Toro vineyard, where the hot climate produces exuberant Tempranillo (it's also a hot spot for savvy investors from Rioja and Ribera del Duero). Rich, mouth-filling and made for roasted rack of lamb.
Super-concentrated fruit flavors, thanks to Ricardo's 50-year-old vines. Meticulously aged in fine French and American oak.
Most Influential Italian White
Long before 90+ point-scores, there was "Est!", the mark of quality wine enthusiast and bishop Johan Defuk used to identify favorite watering holes. When he arrived in Montefiascone, "Est" became "Est! Est!! Est!!!" Today, the region is widely acclaimed — and winemaker Riccardo Cotarella is "one of the world's most influential wine personalities" (The Wine Advocate).
An elegant apéritif, with lively lemon, pear and green apple aromas and flavors. Serve with simple grilled fish or fresh salads.
Special Reserve Carneros Chardonnay
"Carneros produces some of California's most delicate wines," says World Atlas of Wine author Hugh Johnson. Chardonnay does particularly well here — especially in the hands of third-generation winemaker John Bambury. The old vines in John's prized vineyard (in his family since 1920) produce grapes with super-concentrated flavors. Just a touch of French oak lends complexity.
Laced with fresh apple, melon and white peach, with a round, spicy finish. Pair with roast chicken.
Our No. 1 Rioja — In White
A rare, refreshing Spanish white from Julián and Javier Murúa, the father-son team responsible for our best-selling Barón de Barbón Rioja red (winner of 23 medals in just six vintages). Here that same dedication to quality is applied to premium parcels of Viura, Rioja's signature white grape. A great alternative for fans of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Pretty fragrance of white flowers, with notes of apricot. Pure tropical and crisp citrus fruit flavors, with a light, clean finish.
Top New Zealand Pinot Gris
"Dr. John Forrest is one of New Zealand's finest producers" (Sydney Morning Herald). He's also one of the pioneers of the famed 'Golden Mile,' a tiny strip of vineyards in Marlborough that are home to some of the country's best estates. His Pinot Gris is rich and opulent (similar to what you might taste in Alsace) and is miles apart from crisp, light Pinot Grigio (Italy's take on the grape).
Full of citrus and stone fruits, with notes of orange and honeysuckle. A wine to sip with aged cheeses.
Next-Door-to-Napa Viognier
In France, Viognier is the grape behind the chic (expensive) Condrieu. In California, it's becoming an American star as well, with winemakers falling for its opulent apricot character. Here in Lake County (Napa's northern neighbor) the Shannon family are experts, planting their Morine Ranch Viognier block facing the sunny south to ensure perfectly ripe grapes.
Full of luscious stone fruit, layered with blood orange and lychee. A wine to pair with charcuterie — try a rich duck paté.
'Golden' New Zealand Sauvignon
In France's Loire Valley, it's all about grassy freshness. But in New Zealand, you can expect Sauvignon Blanc with more juicy tropical fruit flavor. Your second great example of the grape is also your second wine from Marlborough's 'Golden Mile.' Terry and Lynley Sowman used to supply premium fruit to the country's most demanding winemakers. But now they're bottling their own stuff – with delicious results.
Explosive lime, guava and vibrant gooseberry character, with classic hints of flinty stone. Great with oysters.
Crisp Loire Sauvignon Blanc
The Bougrier family have been capturing Sauvignon's intense 'zip and zing' in the Loire Valley since 1885.
No one knows the region like they do, and only Noël Bougrier knows where to find the best fruit — he chose perfectly ripe grapes from some of his favorite vineyards. Since Noël and WSJwine partner Tony Laithwaite go way back, we get first crack at his super-fresh 2010.
Plenty of ripe citrus with an appealing grassy edge. A refreshing mouthful of bright Meyer lemon with a crisp, dry finish.
Electrifying Spanish Albariño
For such a tiny grape (the world's smallest) Albariño is making some big waves at top restaurants all over the world. For the very best, you head to Rías Baixas in northwest Spain. We turned to expert Josephine Perry and the Parker-pointed Bodega Viña Nora. Josephine's got a special touch with this famously perfumed variety, and knows just how to coax out all its racy lime flavors.
Refreshing and steely dry. Laced with lemon and lime, with a slightly salty tang. THE wine to serve with seafood.
Grand Argentinean Cabernet
Visit the Zuccardi family estate in Mendoza and you'll experience their world-famous hospitality. For the next best thing, a taste of their rich Gran Seleccíon Cabernet will show off their mastery of the classic Bordeaux grape. High in the Andes, Cabernet reaches its peak of pure fruit flavor. Winemaker Rodolfo Montenegro adds complexity with 12 months in French oak.
Black cherry and plum aromas give way to ripe, dark fruit flavors, with a chocolaty finish. Great with steak.
Silver-Medal Bordeaux in 2009
Next door to Saint-Emilion, winemakers in Côtes de Francs are proving they're serious about top quality. If you've never tried their great reds, 2009 ("an incredibly exciting vintage of opulence, power and richness," Robert Parker) is the perfect starting point. We took as many cases as we could of this stunner. And like the judges at the 2011 Concours Général Agricole (France's top show), your dinner guests will be impressed.
Classic red currant aromas. Silky texture and plump, summer berry flavors. Comes into its own with roasted red meats.
"Buy by the Car-Load" Italian Red
No one is better than Filippo Baccalaro at drawing out the luscious, black-fruit flavors of Montepulciano, the star red grape of Abruzzo. Want proof? Ask top critic Robert Parker, who describes a previous vintage of Filippo's Montepulciano as "a wine to buy by the carload." Look for more of the same with this food-friendly 2010. Add a splash to your homemade tomato sauce as a delicious secret weapon.
Look for plum, blackberry and licorice aromas, lifted by subtle hints of violet. Velvety smooth with rich attractive spice notes.
Plum-Rich Napa Merlot
Exciting new find from Napa's Ramsden Estate, whose vineyards are a stone's throw from the famed Silveroak Cellars. Acclaimed winemaker Alison Crowe (one-time apprentice to the famous Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon) took this star-quality fruit and worked her magic. A generous 18-month slumber in both French and American oak completes the picture.
Smooth and ripe, brimming soft flavors of blueberry pie, mocha and warm vanilla spice. Great with pork and duck.
Most Influential Italian White
Long before 90+ point-scores, there was "Est!", the mark of quality wine enthusiast and bishop Johan Defuk used to identify favorite watering holes. When he arrived in Montefiascone, "Est" became "Est! Est!! Est!!!" Today, the region is widely acclaimed — and winemaker Riccardo Cotarella is "one of the world's most influential wine personalities" (The Wine Advocate).
An elegant apéritif, with lively lemon, pear and green apple aromas and flavors. Serve with simple grilled fish or fresh salads.
Special Reserve Carneros Chardonnay
"Carneros produces some of California's most delicate wines," says World Atlas of Wine author Hugh Johnson. Chardonnay does particularly well here — especially in the hands of third-generation winemaker John Bambury. The old vines in John's prized vineyard (in his family since 1920) produce grapes with super-concentrated flavors. Just a touch of French oak lends complexity.
Laced with fresh apple, melon and white peach, with a round, spicy finish. Pair with roast chicken.
Our No. 1 Rioja — In White
A rare, refreshing Spanish white from Julián and Javier Murúa, the father-son team responsible for our best-selling Barón de Barbón Rioja red (winner of 23 medals in just six vintages). Here that same dedication to quality is applied to premium parcels of Viura, Rioja's signature white grape. A great alternative for fans of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
Pretty fragrance of white flowers, with notes of apricot. Pure tropical and crisp citrus fruit flavors, with a light, clean finish.
Top New Zealand Pinot Gris
"Dr. John Forrest is one of New Zealand's finest producers" (Sydney Morning Herald). He's also one of the pioneers of the famed 'Golden Mile,' a tiny strip of vineyards in Marlborough that are home to some of the country's best estates. His Pinot Gris is rich and opulent (similar to what you might taste in Alsace) and is miles apart from crisp, light Pinot Grigio (Italy's take on the grape).
Full of citrus and stone fruits, with notes of orange and honeysuckle. A wine to sip with aged cheeses.
How does the Discovery Club work?
Your questions answered...
How often will I receive my Discovery Club case?
It’s up to you. We will reserve a case for you every three months. That works out to just one bottle a week.
Will you tell me about each case before you send it?
We will always notify you in advance of your next selection, so you will have plenty of time to decide whether or not you wish to accept.
What if one of the wines doesn’t appeal?
No problem, your cases are flexible. You can change as many wines as you like and our wine advisors are always on-hand to help you choose wines to suit you best.
Can I change the whole case?
Yes, you can choose from mixed, all-reds or all-whites selections ... just let us know.
What if I’m on vacation? Or have too much wine?
You can delay delivery or skip a case altogether. There is no commitment, you can take as many or as few cases as you like.
What if I don’t like the wine when I taste it?
No problem. Every bottle is fully guaranteed. If you don’t like a wine for any reason, just call us and we’ll refund you. Simple as that!
What if you deliver the wine and I don’t want it?
We never want you to receive wine you don’t need. So, if we deliver a case and it’s not wanted, just call us and we’ll take care of it.
