The Party News

Winter 2011 ♦The Wines ♦The Recipes ♦Note from SK ♦Tidbits

The Wines

2009 Frank Herbert Old Vine Zinfandel
2009 Calaveras Zinfandel
2009 Carignane

One of the many bennies of being a member of our Party is that your quarterly shipments include wines we are completely sold out of. Our little holiday bonus to you this month are two such wines. The unique 2009 Carignane and the highly acclaimed Frank Herbert Zinfandel. Happy Merry.

All of our Zins were reviewd in the December issue of The Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 2 of these yummy zins are in your shipment, see the reviews below.

The Recipes

Ahi Chipotle Tacos - pair with the '09 Cal Zin for a tasty, easy week-day meal.
Moroccan Lamb Stew - a favorite in The Kitchen at Newsome-Harlow. Open a bottle of Carignane!
Red Velvet Beet Bundt Cake - with the Frank Herbert. No really, it is good.

Big Fat Ratings for NH Zins from Wine Enthusiast Mag

94 points - 2009 Frank Herbert Zinfandel
(sold out - but in this shipment. lucky you) "A new vineyard source for Newsome-Harlow and arguably its best single vineyard designated Zin out of a lineup of superbly delicious Zins. With a heady raspberry and blackberry nose, this Zin is classically lush and intense yet silky smooth in the mouth, tinged by hints of black pepper and licorice. Altogether so so good."

91 points - 2009 Calaveras Zinfandel $22 ($16.50 for Party Members) "Winemaker Scott Klann does Calaveras County proud with this Zin from several area vineyards. Its fruit is slightly subdued at first than in his single-vineyard efforts but still buzzing with raspberry and blueberry goodness, plenty of Zinny spice and a rocking savory finish."

91 points - 2009 Shake Ridge (sold out, but coming in your March shipment!)
"This wine is true to its famous Foothills vineyard source year after year and 2009 is no exception. The wine is a little muted at first, gamey even, with looming, site-specific tarry structure. Give it a rest and it will open up in beautiful ways, its big, blueberry bones impeccably tamed."

92 points - 2009 Big John Zinfandel (sold out)
"Big John is as big and strong as its name, with bacony, briary flavors and yet magically very refined and subtle in a way, like Nina Simone singing a sultry ballad full of melancholy and mirth. A pleasantly pronounced kiss of vanilla finishes things off. Pair with spicy sausage and other meats."

93 points - 2009 Donner Party Zinfandel - (sold out)
"The Dalton Vineyard is a beloved and prized source for winemaker Scott Klann. A cellar worthy Zin with a floral nose of violets and earthy blue fruit that segues slowly into structured tannins, bleedingly ripe plum notes and a spicy, almost leathery finish. The enological equivalent of Kurt Cobain acoustic in a thrift store sweater, it is raw power just waiting for a chance to surge."

Harvest 2011

So I'm sitting here on the morning of December 1st with a well-deserved cup of coffee in my hands. Just yesterday we pressed off the last of the 2011 reds (some great Cabernet that will no doubt be the base for the '11 Meritage). Our first load into the winery this year was some Sauv Blanc from Frogstooth Vineyard back on August 28th. Do the math and you will quickly deduce that Crush 2011 lasted 92 days(!). I've been in this business over 19 years and have been involved with 21 harvests (if you count the abbreviated vintage I did in McLaren Vale, South Australia in March of 2005) and none of them have ever lasted anywhere NEAR 92 days. The only really crappy part about a 92 day Crush is that now instead of having ten months to get twelve months of work done in, we now have only eight and a half months in which to get it done. But I'm not complaining, not at all. Truth is that Crush is what it's all about in this biz. Think about it, it's like getting new canvas and fresh paints into the studio...EVERYTHING is possible.

Things to keep an eye out for from Crush 2011...the single-vineyard Zins all looked amazing this year (naturally). Also the Petite Sirah from El Portal and Dalton Vineyards. We even got some organically grown Sauv Blanc in this year from the Dalton Vineyard. I decided to keep a little bit of that aside and try a few cases of a "Fume Blanc" style wine. We'll keep ya posted on that one...Cheers!

-Scott Klann

Tidbits..

Winning!
In addition to the high scores from Wine Enthusiast Magazine this month, we were also voted Best Reds in the County by the readers of The Calaveras Enterprise. Calaveras locals have been supporting us in so many ways since our very beginnings. And for the past 4 out of 5 years with their votes in the newspaper's "Best of" competition. Lucky us.

Give the Gift of NHVino
A Duo or Trio of wines for your favorite people - or people you are trying to impressss! With a fancy little bow and a gift card. Save some moolah too.

Duo
2009 Train Wreck
2009 Calaveras Zin
$40 ($30 for Party Members)

Trio - Best Value!
2009 Train Wreck
2009 Petite Sirah
2009 Calaveras Zinfandel
$55 ($45 for Party Members.)

Pick up in the Tasting Lounge or order online