Argentina's Ultimate Steak Reserve
Our friend Opi Sadler's wines have such finesse, his peers call him 'the magician.' And for Tony's recent tasting trip to Argentina, Opi conjured up a richer, darker take on the original (and popular) Waxed Bat using Cabernet and Malbec. Each hail from Bordeaux, but reach new heights of ripeness in Mendoza. Separately, they vie for the 'ultimate steak red' title. Together ... you can imagine.
Ripe blackberry and black currant with a touch of smoky vanilla. Velvety mouthfeel and a long, layered finish.
Fine 2009 Crozes-Hermitage
The best (and priciest) Syrah in the world comes from Hermitage — no debate. But just next door, easy-drinking Crozes-Hermitage is an excellent value introduction to that famously elegant style. And if you've yet to try a Rhône, this is the vintage to start with. "I can say that without a doubt 2009 is the finest overall vintage in the northern Rhône since 1999," says Robert Parker.
Shows all the opulence of the vintage. Dark fruit aromas and flavors. Classic white pepper and savory smoke. Lovely with garlic pork.
Super Ripe 'Super Sicilian'
From the always-innovative Mario Ercolino. Like Super Tuscans, this exciting discovery marries 'foreign' grapes together, breaking Italian classification rules (for Saserello, Mario blended a French trio of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah with Italy's star Sangiovese). The twist? They're grown in Sicily, where warm Mediterranean breezes and brilliant sunshine ripen them into tiny knots of flavor.
Rich, dark fruit aromas and ripe black cherry flavors. Notes of pepper and toasty vanilla. Perfect for your next pasta feast.
Limited-Edition California Syrah
William Knuttel's spent decades building the reputations of some of California's top wineries (including sought-after Saintsbury and Chalk Hill). With his name on the label, he's an even bigger stickler for quality. Kore gets its name from the ancient Greeks (meaning 'beauty,' a nickname for the goddess Persephone). Its stunning flavor comes from premium grapes, hand-harvested from two of Bill’s favorite vineyards.
Bright, ripe aromas of blackberry and candied plum underpinned by classic smoked meat characters. Plush, dark fruit flavors.
Spirited Portuguese Red
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 José Luis Oliveira da Silva, whose family have been making acclaimed wines for generations. José's elegant, fruit-packed red combines Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo in neighboring Spain) and local star Castelão.
Aromatic black cherry and red fruit, with subtle hints of fig. Six months in oak imparts a mocha-coffee complexity.
Heroic Monterey Merlot
Growing high in the cool hillside vineyards of Monterey is a special patch of Merlot vines. Locals call it 'The Rescue Block' because every year without fail these vines produce wonderfully ripe, full-flavored fruit (saving many a blend). Here, it's bottled on its own by acclaimed winemaker Alison Crowe, one-time apprentice to the famous Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon.
Intense aromas of red and black berries with a hint of vanilla spice. Flavors of warm plum and a long, chocolaty finish.
Classic California Merlot
With two fine William Knuttel reds in your case, you’ve struck gold — or rather, silver. For his limited-edition Silverstrike, precious metal buff Bill wanted to make a classic California Merlot. He scoured his favorite sites for premium fruit and lavished them with his trademark care. The result? Smooth and luscious flavors in your glass. And definitely worth its weight in ... well, you know.
Deep purple-red. Juicy flavors of black plum and cherry with hints of toasty vanilla on the soft, round finish. A red lover's apéritif.
'Masterful' Pinot Noir
This hauntingly aromatic find is a favorite of renowned wine writer Hugh Johnson. From the Master of Wine Gábor Laczkó and a special vineyard on the shores of Hungary's beautiful Lake Balaton — the inspiration for Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata." A climate similar to Burgundy (Pinot Noir's heartland) and the cooling influence of the water helps this fussy grape ripen perfectly in the warm vineyards.
Classic ripe strawberry and raspberry notes balanced by fresh acidity and silky tannins. Attractive, fruit-rich finish. Pair with roasted turkey.
Top-Secret California Chardonnay
California's cool-climate Chardonnays can rival some of France's finest white Burgundies. This gem's ripe, yet elegant character puts it in that category, and thanks to our hard-working wine buyer Nick Taylor, we secured it for a very special price. His contact at a top winery in the cool Santa Lucia Highlands tipped him off to the few remaining cases of the 2009. He wisely took every last one.
Distinct notes of apricot, peach and pineapple. A rich palate framed with a toasty oak complexity. Lovely with roasted chicken.
Italy's Rare Gavi di Gavi
Gavi is the great white of Italy, loved for its elegance and finesse. The very best have Gavi di Gavi on the label — a designation that means it comes from the village's very best vineyards. The grape behind this seafood-perfect white is Cortese — grown almost exclusively here in the mountain-ringed vineyards of northern Italy. The Broglia family, Cortese specialists for generations, send their fresh 2010.
Intense floral aromas that open up to ripe lemon and pear on the palate. Classic hints of almond. Made for freshly grilled seafood.
Southern French Grande Reserve
A special release from the Mas de Daumas Gassac estate, crowned the "Lafite of the Languedoc," by World Atlas of Wine legend Hugh Johnson. Their Grand Vin white sells for more than $40 a bottle. But because we go way back with the Guibert family, they make a special Grande Réserve just for us (and you). This is a ripe, complex blend made in the image of their Grand Vin.
Exotic aromas of wild honeysuckle and apricot with the full, opulent flavors of ripe peach. An impressive apéritif.
Fine New Zealand Chardonnay
Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's top spot for Chardonnay. Protected from harsh winds by the massive Ruahine and Kaweka mountains, the region is blessed with long hours of warm sunshine, helping grapes ripen perfectly. For your first taste of the 2011 vintage, we turned to White Winemaker of the Year Grant Edmonds (who knows just where to find the ripest fruit of all).
Tropical aromas and flavors of ripe melon and stone fruit with a hint of almonds and creamy peach on the finish.
Insider's Australian Chardonnay
Here's a second great Chardonnay, this one from Margaret River, Western Australia's most famous sub-region. Chardonnay shines here, thanks to l-o-n-g dry summers and the cooling Indian Ocean breeze. Your perfect example comes from the region's No. 1 estate. They gave us a terrific insider's deal, on the condition that we not reveal their name.
Spicy lychee on the nose, giving way to a complex cashew nut palate, with subtle
hints of a creamy brioche.
Spain's Fashionable Albariño
For such a tiny grape (the world's smallest) Albariño is making some big waves at top restaurants all over the world. It's the wine to serve with fresh seafood, and for your perfect example 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, tropical characters.
Floral aromas with ripe apricots and traces of lime blossom. Refreshing and steely dry with abundant apricot and grapefruit.
Elegant Italian White
A past vintage of this mouthwatering beauty won the prestigious "White Wine of the Year" award at the International Wine Challenge. It's a top honor, but it's no surprise. Winemaker Filippo Baccalero is a true maestro, and has the critical acclaim (Robert Parker, Decanter, Wine Spectator... ) to prove it. Taste for yourself what the buzz is about with Filippo's elegant Trebbiano.
Juicy pear and melon aromas with a hint of spicy almond. Refreshing citrus flavors balanced harmoniously with ripe melon.
Favorite Estate Aussie Riesling
Clare Valley is the Mecca for Aussie Riesling. Here's a five-star winery’s delicious 2009 — they scooped 5 of 6 trophies at a recent award show. Decanter described their 2008 as "Classic Clare Valley Riesling. Mineral, nervy citrus, very youthful and crisp, zingy lemons." Rate their stunning 2009 for yourself.
Pronounced aromas of fresh lime, underpinned by earthy wet stone and spice. Crisp, intense grapefruit and lemon marmalade flavors.
Argentina's Ultimate Steak Reserve
Our friend Opi Sadler's wines have such finesse, his peers call him 'the magician.' And for Tony's recent tasting trip to Argentina, Opi conjured up a richer, darker take on the original (and popular) Waxed Bat using Cabernet and Malbec. Each hail from Bordeaux, but reach new heights of ripeness in Mendoza. Separately, they vie for the 'ultimate steak red' title. Together ... you can imagine.
Ripe blackberry and black currant with a touch of smoky vanilla. Velvety mouthfeel and a long, layered finish.
Limited-Edition California Syrah
William Knuttel's spent decades building the reputations of some of California's top wineries (including sought-after Saintsbury and Chalk Hill). With his name on the label, he's an even bigger stickler for quality. Kore gets its name from the ancient Greeks (meaning 'beauty,' a nickname for the goddess Persephone). Its stunning flavor comes from premium grapes, hand-harvested from two of Bill’s favorite vineyards.
Bright, ripe aromas of blackberry and candied plum underpinned by classic smoked meat characters. Plush, dark fruit flavors.
Super Ripe 'Super Sicilian'
From the always-innovative Mario Ercolino. Like Super Tuscans, this exciting discovery marries 'foreign' grapes together, breaking Italian classification rules (for Saserello, Mario blended a French trio of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah with Italy's star Sangiovese). The twist? They're grown in Sicily, where warm Mediterranean breezes and brilliant sunshine ripen them into tiny knots of flavor.
Rich, dark fruit aromas open up to black fruit flavors. Notes of pepper and toasty vanilla. Perfect for your next pasta feast.
'Masterful' Pinot Noir
TThis hauntingly aromatic find is a favorite of renowned wine writer Hugh Johnson. From the Master of Wine Gábor Laczkó and a special vineyard on the shores of Hungary's beautiful Lake Balaton — the inspiration for Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata." A climate similar to Burgundy (Pinot Noir's heartland) and the cooling influence of the water helps this fussy grape ripen perfectly in the warm vineyards.
Classic ripe strawberry and raspberry notes balanced by fresh acidity and silky, rounded tannins. Attractive, fruit-rich finish.
Top-Secret California Chardonnay
California's cool-climate Chardonnays can rival some of France's finest white Burgundies. This gem's ripe, yet elegant character puts it in that category, and thanks to our hard-working wine buyer Nick Taylor, we secured it for a very special price. His contact at a top winery in the cool Santa Lucia Highlands tipped him off to the few remaining cases of the 2009. He wisely took every last one.
Distinct notes of apricot, peach and pineapple. A rich palate framed with a toasty oak complexity. Lovely with roasted chicken.
Fine New Zealand Chardonnay
Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's top spot for Chardonnay. Protected from harsh winds by the massive Ruahine and Kaweka mountains, the region is blessed with long hours of warm sunshine, helping grapes ripen perfectly. For your first taste of the 2011 vintage, we turned to White Winemaker of the Year Grant Edmonds (who knows just where to find the ripest fruit of all).
Tropical aromas and flavors of ripe melon and stone fruit with a hint of almonds and creamy peach on the finish.
Southern French Grande Reserve
A special release from the Mas de Daumas Gassac estate, crowned the "Lafite of the Languedoc," by World Atlas of Wine legend Hugh Johnson. Their Grand Vin white sells for more than $40 a bottle. But because we go way back with the Guibert family, they make a special Grande Réserve just for us (and you). This is a ripe, complex blend made in the image of their Grand Vin.
Exotic aromas of wild honeysuckle and apricot with the full, opulent flavors of ripe peach. An impressive apéritif.
Italy's Rare Gavi di Gavi
Gavi is the great white of Italy, loved for its elegance and finesse. The very best have Gavi di Gavi on the label — a designation that means it comes from the village's very best vineyards. The grape behind this seafood-prefect white is Cortese — grown almost exclusively here in the mountain-ringed vineyards of northern Italy. The Broglia family, Cortese specialists for generations, send their fresh 2010.
Intense floral aromas that open up to ripe citrus and pears on the palate. Classic hints of almond. Made for freshly grilled seafood.
How does the 4 Seasons Wine Club work?
Your questions answered...
How often will I receive my 4 Seasons Wine Club case?
It’s up to you. We will reserve a case for you in 3 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.
