2006 WALL-OF-WINE

WALL OF WINE
DESCRIPTION

Consisting of more than 100 bottles of wine donated by members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, the Wall-Of-Wine is valued at over $3000 and includes a wide variety of red wine, and a selection of white wine, rose, port, sparkling wine, fortified wine and aperitifs from California, Washington state, Oregon, Texas, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Moldova and New Zealand. The collection will be auctioned at the SFGMC's Dessert Soiree on Saturday, August 5, 2006, by guest auctioneer, Donna Sachet.

WHAT TO DO WITH A WALL OF WINE...

• Not a wine drinker? No problem - you'll have wonderful gifts to give for years to come!

• New to wine collecting? This will get you started, and be an impressive array in any home.

• Already have a wine collection? These selections will supplement and enhance your cellar.

WINE SELECTION

This list will be updated as more information is available

Featured Wines:

1995 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley, CA)
donated by Jeff McEwen. Value: $125 - $158

Tasting the 95 Silver Oak Alex is a hedonist's dream. The nose is rich vanilla-laced oak, black cherries and currants. But all the fun is in the mouth - rich fruit of crushed ripe currants, mouth-filling oak like Mexican vanilla, and lingering spice on the finish that goes on and on forever (or at least a minute). This wine is like Robert Redford - amazingly smooth, interesting and complex and with the structure to stay around for decades. There is no better way to impress your friends by serving it. This is a cult wine that has been around for decades - it's about time people discovered it.

Peter Michael Winery Estate Bottled 2003 Belle Côte Chardonnay (Sonoma County, Knights Valley, CA)

donated by Joseph Hege and Michael Mamone. Value: $150

Exotic lychee, pineapple, and marmalade notes (which suggest tremendous ripeness) along with a refined, sophisticated structure result in a sensational glass of full-bodied Chardonnay that is well-delineated for its size and power. This is pretty sensational stuff...

Peter Michael Winery Estate Bottled 2003 L’ Après-Midi Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County, CA)

donated by Joseph Hege and Michael Mamone. Value: $140

Tangy and ripe, with excellent depth. Grapefruit and cedar tones on the finish.

Chateau St. Jean 2000 Cinq Cépages Cabernet Sauvignon
donated by Jeff Tobler. Value: $90

Fruit for this Cabernet Sauvignon was selected from the finest Bordeaux variety vineyards in Sonoma County; 37% from Alexander Valley, 36% from Sonoma Valley, 23% from Knights Valley, and 4% from Dry Creek Valley to assemble a wine that showcases Sonoma County. The Alexander Valley grapes highlight bright berry with back notes of dried herbs, while the Sonoma Valley fruit is from our home vineyard - the St. Jean Estate Vineyard, and brings black and dense mountain fruit to the blend. The Knights Valley fruit adds a firm mouthfeel and pronounced tannins and the Dry Creek Valley grapes tend toward dark, dense black cherry and berry fruit flavors with a rich mouthfeel.

Bargetto Winery 2004 Lodi Carignane
2 bottles donated by Matt Prather. Value: $75 - $90 each

Carignane is a lesser-known varietal that grows well in the Lodi area, with the hot days and cooler nights. It produces very rich blackberry, pepper, and spice aromas, berry and fruit flavours in the mouth, and a soft but clean finish. The Bargetto Winery is considered one of the finest of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, creating boutique wines featured in better restaurants from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach. This wine ages well, but is delicious at about 3-4 years, and pairs especially well with lamb or Mediterranean dishes.

Aida 1999 Zinfandel (Oakville, CA)
donated by Paul Olsen. Value: $75
usually available ONLY at the vineyard

8 gift-boxed bottles - O’Brien Cellars 2004 Seduction
donated by O’Brien Cellars. Total value: $224

Seduction, the signature wine of O’Brien Cellars, is a proprietary red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot (Bordeaux varietal grapes) from the Napa Valley appellation. The bottle comes in a shimmering burgundy-colored, organza "gift bag;" a large gold-leaf "O" dominates the front label. O'Brien insists the Big O is for O'Brien Family Vineyard. O’Brien Cellars was the wine sponsor of the 2006 SF LGBT Pride Festival.

Esterlina Vineyards 2004 Port (Sonoma County, CA)
donated by Dianne Terp. Limited Edition

A unique port from a Latino-African family vineyard in the Anderson Valley. ”This year's Port is a blend of Syrah from the Janian Vineyard in Sonoma Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon from our Alexander Valley property, and a bit of Merlot… This Port is rich, smooth and complex, with flavors of red berry, black cherry and a bit of baking spice. We didn't make very much of this stuff, so Happy Holidays from the Sterling Family and all the staff at Esterlina!”

Cuvée Mumm Napa Sparkling Wine
donated by Dianne Terp. Four 187 ml. bottles. Total value: $68

With fruit selected from over fifty separate vineyards, this exceptional sparkler reveals layers of crisp and creamy texture that are rich and lingering. Beautiful notes of ripe peaches, creamy vanilla, and rich white chocolate lead to lush fresh fruit and decadent flavors. Perfect with hors doeuvres, creamy desserts and spicy foods.Although Mumm Napa Valley founder Guy Devaux passed away almost ten years ago, his legend lives on in the Napa wines of Mumm. He was born in Epernay, France, the heart of the French Champagne district. After a stint at famed Champagne house Möet & Chandon, he was tapped by Seagram's to find a home for a new U.S. Sparkling Wine operation. He chose Napa and helped guide the new winery to its lofty status as one of California's finest. The newest addition to their already awesome lineup is this fabulous Cuvee M. Guy would be proud.

AWARD WINNING Willis Hall 2003 Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley, WA)
donated by Sal Baglieri and Peter Cironcione IV. Value: $35

Awarded a Gold Medal at Vineyard & Winery Management's 2006 West Coast Wine Competition and Silver Medals at the 2006 Lone Star International Wine Competition and 2006 Washington Wine Competition held in conjunction with the Central WA State Fair. Cabernet Franc is a red grape variety usually employed in a blending role to uplift, with floral scents, the wines made from traditional Bordeaux grape varieties. It also is the sole variety allowed in the classified red wines from the Chinon region of the Loire Valley in France. Occasionally, Cabernet Franc can be a chameleon, exhibiting a rustic side and displaying its character in a cascade of dark, earthy flavors. This is such a wine. Its intense flavors require similarly intense preparation of complementary food. Such preparations might include bold spices, herbs, and pepper, especially when applied to vegetables, mushrooms, and game meats. Santé!

AWARD WINNING Suatti Winery Duarte Vineyard 2002 Old Vine Zinfandel (Contra Costa County, CA)
donated by Randy Lerner and Steve Hess. Value: $26

2 GOLD MEDALS- Critics Challenge (PLATINUM) and Amenti Del Vino

Ripe and rich, with a generous core of vibrant blackberry and black cherry, this Zin, from thirty-plus year-old vines in nearby Oakley, is surprisingly only medium-bodied, with restrained yet evident pepper and spice.

Sapphire 2003 VLH Zinfandel (Russian River Valley, CA) 375 ml
donated by Randy Lerner and Steve Hess. Value: $40

Sapphire Hill’s first-ever VLH (Very Late Harvest) zinfandel, produced exclusively from a 60-year-old Russian River Valley vineyard, is overflowing with plump berry goodness, juicy ripeness and unfettered zin-ness. Fermented using an ice wine yeast, this exceptional wine is the quintessential choice to complete a fine meal – perhaps paired with a dark chocolate dessert - or to end a perfect day.

AWARD WINNING Lucas & Lewellen 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Barbara County, CA)
donated by Bud Dillon. Value: $25

Double Gold Medal Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition

"Right now," says winemaker Daniel Gehrs, "our Cabs are the best kept secret in California." In 2002, the thirty-year old Cabernet Sauvignon vines responded to a dry winter with a modest crop. The deeply rooted vines slowly but completely ripened the grapes by early November without significant rain. This is a ripe, well-sculpted Cabernet in the Bordeaux tradition. Ample aromas of black currants, a hint of violet and spicy oak lead to smooth cassis-like flavors. This elegant wine will benefit from up to seven or eight years of additional cellaring.

AWARD WINNING Chateau Grand Traverse 2005 “Whole Cluster” Riesling (Michigan)
donated by Sal Baglieri and Peter Cironcione VI. Value: $15

Gold Medal - 2006 San Francisco International Wine Competition
Gold Medal - 2006 International Eastern Wine Competition
Gold Medal - 2006 Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition

This off-dry Riesling was made in a classic crisp and aromatic style. It was produced from specially hand-picked grape clusters pressed "whole" without any de-stemming or crushing. Its fermentation was long and cool, tapering off at 1% residual sugar. The resulting wine is sleek and minerally with nuances of grapefruit, apple and pear.

AWARD WINNING Amphora 2004 Merlot (Dry Creek Valley, Mounts Vineyard, CA)
donated by Bud Dillon. Value: $28

SILVER MEDAL, 2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

The 2004 Mounts Vineyard Merlot is a dark garnet-colored, full-throttled gem. Straight forward aromas of white pepper, dried cherries and spice make for an exciting bouquet. Intense flavors of black cherries, ripe plum, anise and subtle hints of rose dance on the palate. The third vintage of this exceptional estate Merlot is a welcome addition to our family of wines. This beauty will complement grilled lamb, hearty stew, or a seared filet mignon.

Simi 2003 Merlot (Sonoma County, Alexander Valley, CA)
donated by Bud Dillon. Value: $23

SF Gate *Wine of the Week*. In the movie Sideways, wine snob Miles voices his disdain for Merlot, but SF Gate’s Wine Writer W. Blake Gray explains that Simi’s 2003 Merlot is "exactly what I want when I want a Merlot.'' This wine will satisfy that skeptical Miles in your life.

Two unique wines hand-selected and imported from Germany
donated by Matt Prather:

Königschaffhausen 2004 Spätburgunder
not readily available in USA

From the state of Baden-Würtemburg, German, this is a deliciously drinkable red wine – a burgundy from an area of Germany more traditionally known for its white wines. As a result, it is lighter in character than what one might ordinarily expect in a burgundy. The mountains of the area give this wine a richly fruity flavor with hints of cassis, berry or currant, and bit of leather. Serve with a meat stew or bouillabaisse, or just in enjoy by the fire on a crisp fall evening.

Franken-Qüalitätswein-Gutsabfüllung 2004er Rivaner-Trocken
not readily available in USA

This is the white wine to take on that romantic Labor Day picnic. Also from Baden-Würtemburg, it makes the most of mountainous warm days and cool evenings to produce intensely fruity flavor that is still crisp and light with herbal notes throughout. It pairs particularly well with chicken or other fowl, as well as with cold pasta salads or a simple meal of bread and cheese.

Special selection of red and white wines
donated by Mike Bernard:

1997 Hop Kiln Winery Big Red
Great Spaghetti Wine Value: $20

1999 Hop Kiln Winery Big Red
Great with BBQ or pizza Value: $20

1999 Hop Kiln Winery Valdiguie

Luscious, rich red wine. Sadly, very few Valdiguie vineyards exist and this is one that has since been torn out as well. Value: $30

2001 Ridge Vineyards Syrah/Grenache
Big, rich, fruity, excellent with BBQ Value: $40

2002 Ridge Vineyards Carignane
Old Vine wine. Excellent with red sauce pastas Value: $36

2003 Ridge Vineyards Carignane
Old Vine Carignane. Old vines produce some of the best wines Value: $40

2002 Ridge Vineyards Grenache/Syrah
Larger percentage of Grenache in this one. Big, smooth, dark. Value: $36

1989 Topolos Vineyards Alicante Bouschet
This is one of only a few red grapes that have red juice. Value: $14

1992 Story Winery Zinfandel
Medium bodied Zinfandel. Nice with pasta. Value: $12

Rabbit Ridge Winery Barbera
Nice table red. Value: $10

2000 Rabbit Ridge Winery Grand Reserve Barbera
A classic Barbera. Full, rich, mouth-watering. Value: $45

2003 De la Montanya Vineyards Syrah
One of the best new wineries. This is a big, rich, wonderful Syrah. Value: $42

2004 Frog’s Leap Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp, lean and vegetal. Value: $26

2004 Porter Creek Vineyards, Fiona Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir

Written up last year in Money Magazine as one of the best Pinots in the country for the money. Needs about 4-5 years of aging. Value: $34

2003 Porter Creek Vineyards, Reserve Pinot Noir

One of the best pinots around. Beautiful cherry and raspberry flavors with a light dusting of terroire. Only 8 barrels produced. Value: $55

2004 Porter Creek Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel

A phenomenal Zin. Smells like blackberry jam with chunks of cherries and black raspberries thrown in . Silky and spicy. Not tannic or peppery at all. Classic. 2 bottles. Value: 32

2004 Porter Creek Vineyards Viognier

Perfect wine for Thanksgiving dinner. Viognier will someday be more popular than Chardonnay if it is produced like this. This one was presented at a tasting of Viogniers in San Francisco last year and out of 69 Viogniers tasted, this was rated number one. Aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine with a touch of roses. Not at all sweet or grapefruity. Just rich, smooth and velvety with a long wonderful creamy finish. Only 6 barrels produced. And unfortunately, it’s sold out. The 2005 vintage will be released in November. Value: $30

SELECTION OF ADDITIONAL WINES

Donated by:

Sal Baglieri, Robert Benda, Bruce Carpenter, John Cashman, Peter Cironcione, Bud Dillon, David Falzone, Steve Garber, Bruce Friedrichsen, Joe Hege, Steve Hess, Sean Higgins, Dan Joraanstad, Kevin Jones, Gary Kukus, Randy Lerner, Michael Lynch, James Machado, Christiaan McEwen, Jeff McEwen, Paul Olsen, Gary Richards, Brent Roelofs, Stephanie Smith, Mark Sorensen, Chris Spanos, Michael Tate , Dianne Terp, Jeff Tobler, Jeffrey Van Dyk, F. Ross Woodall

RED WINES
Value: $10 - $30 per bottle

J. Vidal-Fleury 2001 Côtes-du-ventoux Red Rhone Wine (France)

Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2000 (Spain)

Dashe 2003 Merlot, Iron Oak Vineyards, Potter Valley (CA)

Wente Vineyards 2003 Crane Ridge Reserve Merlot (Livermore Valley, CA)

Cuvée Selena Marr Cellars 2002 Grenache (CA)

Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2005 Pinot Noir (CA)

Bishop’s Peak 2003 Edna Valley Chardonnay (Arroyo Grande, CA)

Carmenet Winery 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake County, CA)

Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois 2003 Red Table Wine (CA)

6 bottles – Le Clos 1998 Red Wine (CA)

Tisdale Vineyards 2005 Merlot (CA)

Ironside Vineyards 2003 Xpression Red Wine (serve chilled – Murphys, CA)

Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (CA)

Sensorium 2004 Syrah (Central Coast, CA)

R.H. Phillips 2002 Merlot

Papio Vintage 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (CA)

Red Bicyclette 2004 Syrah (France)

Becker Vineyards Texas Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon (Texas)

Eberle 2005 Roussanne (Paso Robles, CA)

Lucas & Lewellen 2003 Syrah (Santa Barbara County, CA)

Jade Mountain 2004 Syrah (Monterey County, CA)

Babcock 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (CA)

Bridgeview 2004 Pinot Noir (Southern Oregon)


Bella Piazza 2004 Shiraz (Shenandoah Valley, CA)

Taft Street 2004 Syrah (Dry Creek Valley, St. Emydius Acres, CA) – 2 bottles

Duryee Merlot (CA) – 2 bottles

Lolonis Winery Ladybug Red Old Vines Cuvée V Table Wine (Redwood Valley, CA)

Havens 2002 Merlot (Carneros, CA)

Wild Horse 2004 Pinot Noir (CA)

Schug 2003 Merlot (Sonoma Valley, CA)

Taylor Family Vineyards 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, CA)

Dionysos-Mereni - Four Seasons Collection 1998 Lidia Dessert Wine (Moldava)
A good companion to desserts, fresh fruits and ice cream

SELECTION OF ADDITIONAL WHITE WINES
Value: $10 - $35 per bottle

Ruffino Lumina 2003 Pinot Grigio (Tuscany region, Italy)

Nobilo Regional Collection Marlborough 2005 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

2004 White Label Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Morton Estate (New Zealand)

Louis Jadot 2004 Pouilly-Fuissé White Burgundy (France)

Chateau St. Jean 2001 Reserve Chardonnay (Sonoma County, CA)

Giesen 2005 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

Stevenot 2003 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard (Calaveras County, CA)

2 bottles - Barefoot Brut Cuvee Chardonnay Champagne (CA)

Fetzer Vineyards 2004 Gewürztraminer (Mendocino County, CA)

Curtis 2005 Heritage Blanc (Santa Barbara County, CA)

Cycles Gladiator 2004 Chardonnay (CA)

Murphy-Goode 1999 Gewürztraminer (Alexander Valley, CA)

Ponzi Vineyards 2005 Chardonnay (Willamette Valley, OR)

Dionysos-Mereni - Four Seasons Collection 1998 Muscat Dessert Wine (Moldava)
Great companion to fresh fruits, chocolate, cheese and dessert

ROSE

The Grey Rose 2005 Pinot Pinot – blend of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir (CA)

Rose has a strong pulse today; small and large wineries are starting to produce them again and the press and trade are talking about them. This “pink buzz” is also based on consumers’ increased interest and demand for hot and spicy foods of oriental, Indian and Latin American origins. Well made and chilled rose wines have always done well in complementing hot and spicy dishes, because they exhibit the more complex characteristics of red wine without the accompanying tannis.

APERITIFS / SPIRITS / FORTIFIED WINES

Fernet Branca
donated by Dianne Terp. Value: $30

A MUST to supplement any wine collection, Fernet Branca is a bitter, aromatic spirit made from of over 40 herbs and spices, including myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom and saffron, with a base of grape alcohol. The recipe is a secret, and was created by the young Maria Scala in 1845 in Milan. Scala's name became Maria Branca through marriage, and the product's name was born. The Fernet Branca is still produced in Milan by the company Fratelli Branca, overseen by the Branca family.

Fernet Branca is usually served as a digestif after a meal, but may also be enjoyed with coffee and espresso, or mixed into coffee and espresso drinks. It may be enjoyed neat at room temperature or with ice. And, rumour has it that it can help cure hangovers!

Lillet Blanc Aperitif de France (Bordeaux)
Value: $16

Lillet Blanc is an aperitif from the Bordeaux region of France that was created in 1887 as a tonic for whatever ailed you. It comes in white or red versions, the red version being created in the 1960s, and is in the same family as Vermouth but with subtle differences. The formula for Lillet contains wine, orange peel and quinine, which provide the slightly bitter aperitif quality that has made this drink so popular. Lillet can be enjoyed straight up or used in delectable recipes that excite your palate. Its sumptuous flavor makes it the perfect ingredient for a deliciously original cocktails or desserts.

The Lillet Tomlin

1 ounce Lillet Blanc
1 ounce Mandarin Napoleon
1/2 ounce Maraschino liqueur
1/2 ounce Cognac

Stir with cracked ice for thirty seconds, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange wheel, two ringy-dingys and serve to the party to whom you are speaking.

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