Somm Wine Club

Somm Wine Club March 2022

February 22, 2022

Wine Notes by Richard DeAngelis, Sommelier and Owner

For our Somm Wine Club Premier, our inaugural wines are from two heavy hitters in the wine world –  both were started by women, and both have largely handed over the reigns to their sons who have lifted the brands to high acclaim.

These are wines that are ready for you to enjoy right away, and they are exclusive to the Somm Wine Club. And while you could hold them for a bit, I suggest opening them now, while the nights are still cool and beckoning for an evening around a fire. Both would pair wonderfully with something hardy from the grill or smoker. Pull the cork and enjoy!

Macauley Vineyards Old Vine Napa Valley Zinfandel | 2018

By my own admission, I am a Zinfandel snob. Often zin can be so fruity and so dense that it resembles a cocktail more than a wine; so for a zin to catch my attention like the Macauley Old Vine…well, it’s quite a feat. (Tasting it was actually the impetus for the creation of our Somm Wine Club.) This wine catches your attention immediately – from the black-purple color to the fragrant raspberry/black cherry waltzing with provincial spice – it stands out. The wine is balanced, velvety, and boasts a solid core of acidity over tannins, making it the perfect zinfandel to pair with anything you want to pull off the smoker or grill. Cellar worthy, but I wouldn’t wait… rip it and tip it!

Kathryn Kennedy Santa Cruz “Lateral” Merlot/Cabernet Franc Blend | 2016 | Napa

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Marty Mathias is the longtime winemaker of Kathryn Kennedy wines of Santa Cruz. He developed this brand, Lateral, after finding the wines of St. Emilion irresistible. The label has been around for over twenty years and is now sourced entirely from organic vineyards in Napa Valley; bottled in Oakville. Lateral is one of those wines that will be more than adequate for Sunday family dinner; but the uniqueness of the blend and the velvety smoothness that lands gently on the palate will help you reap the rewards of your “extra effort” date night at home. It will not over power swordfish off the grill or lamb T-bones, and it will also pair nicely with bone-in pork chops and mushroom risotto. Roughly 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the wine is exotic, velvety, and begs for the attention of all your senses.

These are wines that are ready for you to enjoy right away, and they are exclusive to the Somm Wine Club. And while you could hold them for a bit, I suggest opening them now, while the nights are still cool and beckoning for an evening around a fire. Both would pair wonderfully with something hardy from the grill or smoker. Pull the cork and enjoy!

Macauley Vineyards Old Vine Napa Valley Zinfandel | 2018

By my own admission, I am a Zinfandel snob. Often zin can be so fruity and so dense that it resembles a cocktail more than a wine; so for a zin to catch my attention like the Macauley Old Vine…well, it’s quite a feat. (Tasting it was actually the impetus for the creation of our Somm Wine Club.) This wine catches your attention immediately – from the black-purple color to the fragrant raspberry/black cherry waltzing with provincial spice – it stands out. The wine is balanced, velvety, and boasts a solid core of acidity over tannins, making it the perfect zinfandel to pair with anything you want to pull off the smoker or grill. Cellar worthy, but I wouldn’t wait… rip it and tip it!

Kathryn Kennedy Santa Cruz “Lateral” Merlot/Cabernet Franc Blend | 2016 | Napa

Marty Mathias is the longtime winemaker of Kathryn Kennedy wines of Santa Cruz. He developed this brand, Lateral, after finding the wines of St. Emilion irresistible. The label has been around for over twenty years and is now sourced entirely from organic vineyards in Napa Valley; bottled in Oakville. Lateral is one of those wines that will be more than adequate for Sunday family dinner; but the uniqueness of the blend and the velvety smoothness that lands gently on the palate will help you reap the rewards of your “extra effort” date night at home. It will not over power swordfish off the grill or lamb T-bones, and it will also pair nicely with bone-in pork chops and mushroom risotto. Roughly 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the wine is exotic, velvety, and begs for the attention of all your senses.

Join Now
View Somm Wine Club Details