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Selection Limited Series Collection 2011
Each year Winexpert produces only a limited quantity of five fabulous and unique varieties from around the world from January through April. These very special wines are only available during their month of release.
Due to this popularity and restricted availability, orders must be made on a reservation basis. All Limited Edition pre-orders must be made by 5:00 pm CST, Saturday, December 3, 2011. Wine Creations - Contact Us
January: Washington Meritage $144.95
The Region: The Red Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) is Washington's smallest, at approximately 3,600 acres. Grape growing conditions are almost textbook perfect: slope, exposure, weather conditions, good air drainage, large day/night temperature swings, gravelly soil with high calcium carbonate content and high pH, and the nearby Yakima River to moderate temperature extremes - there could hardly be more positive flavor influences to grapes grown here.
The Wine: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine features great extract, deep color and intense aromatics of dark berry fruit, cassis, peppery spice, cedar and smoke. The seductive nose of this wine foreshadows magnificent texture and flavor, including dark berries, licorice, vanilla and warm brown spices that glide across the palate. The texture and mouthfeel of the wine offer up silky tannins and a velvety smooth structure.
The Food: Marinated & Grilled Flank Steak with Blue Café De Paris Butter.
Ageing: The complexity and structure of this wine will require three to six months to unwind, and it will continue improving for several years. Due to the ripe tannins it will also benefit from decanting before serving.
Sweetness Code: 0 (dry)
January: South African Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon $139.95
The Region: Known as “Valley of Wine and Roses,” South Africa's Robertson Valley has a very hot climate with minimal rainfall—less than a foot per year. Luckily the calcareous red clay loam and clay Karoo soils have excellent water-holding capacity, and the gentle slopes and varied microclimates allow for precision planting to maximize grape quality.
The Wine: Sauvignon Blanc has wild, herbaceous flavors and tart, grapefruit-like character, which shows strongly in the young wine, while Semillon has flavors of honeydew melon and sweet honey that take a bit longer to come out. Together the two grapes make a lush, balanced wine with great up-front fruit and a satisfying, rich finish.
The Food: Pan Roasted Digby Bay Scallops, Jewel Yam Purée, White Truffle Oil & Salsa Verdé.
Ageing: The citrus notes of the Sauvignon Blanc make this wine tempting to drink right away and after three months the Semillon will rise up to give a mellower white wine. It will improve for at least a year, giving deeper flavors of melon and honey as it goes.
Sweetness Code: 0 (dry)
February: California Petite Sirah/Zinfandel $144.95
(Limited Edition 2005)
The Region: Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Amador County is sometimes called “California's Piedmont.” With vineyards running from 250 to 2,900 feet in elevation, and summer temperatures ranging from 80 to over 100 degrees F, the excellent growing conditions have encouraged diversified plantings.
The Wine: Grippingly tannic, bold and deeply colored Petite Sirah complements the jamminess of Zinfandel, taming the abundant blueberries and blackberries with a hint of dark cherry and vanilla. Full-bodied with a lingering palate and peppery spice, this is a wine of unprecedented power and length.
The Food: Apple Cider Brined Thick-Cut BBQ Pork Chops.
Ageing: This is a wine that shows best with ageing. After one year the blackberries will come out and at two years will tame the tannin's grip, showing the black pepper and rich dark fruits.
Sweetness Code: 0 (dry)
March: German Traminer Spätlese $139.95
The Region: Germany's most famous growing region, the Mosel Valley, with its mineral-laden soils, produces some of the world's finest off-dry wines. The sheer mountains and rugged steep slopes make the most of the northern sunshine, but they also mean that vineyard work must be done by hand, and yields are very low. This results in carefully crafted, very intensely flavored wines.
The Wine: Traminer is the parent of the more familiar Gewürztraminer and Spätlese is a German wine term meaning “late harvest,” indicating a wine made from fully mature grapes that are picked at least seven days after normal harvest, so they are riper and have higher sugar levels. This is a gently golden-colored wine, unmistakable in its heady, aromatic intensity, with a pungent fragrance of lychee, tropical fruit and rose petals. Its flavors are ample, lusciously fruity and spicy.
The Food: Peach and Blueberry Cobbler.
Ageing: The intense fruit character will be apparent immediately in this rich wine making it a tempting sipper right away, but the deeper floral characters of rose petal and lychee will become much more apparent after six months to a year.
Sweetness Code: 1 (off-dry)
April: Spanish Matador Trio Red $144.95
The Region: From the green damp north to the arid south, Spain is the country with the most land under vine in the world. Mancha is Europe's largest denominated wine region and its hot, dry growing conditions yield intensely-flavored red grapes.
The Wine: Tempranillo are deep blue-black berries, high in color and extract, with delicate aromas. Cabernet Sauvignon's small berries yield high tannins and intense structure, while Monastrell adds grip, earthiness and ripe red fruit. Lush, tannic and complex, with intense black fruit flavors of black cherry, raspberry, black currant and notes of plums and tobacco, the wine takes gracefully to oak, adding layers of vanilla, cedar and rich coffee nuances.
The Food: Mediterranean White Bean Salad Marinated with Garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano & Fine Herbs.
Ageing: With soft acidity and lush tannins, this wine is enjoyed after only three to six months, but the black fruits, cherry and plum notes will take six months to show well, and the vanilla/coffee nuances will show best after one year.
Sweetness Code: 0 (dry)
Due to this popularity and restricted availability, orders must be made on a reservation basis. All Limited Edition pre-orders must be made by 5:00 pm CST, Saturday, December 3, 2011.Wine Creations - Contact Us
Due to this popularity and restricted availability, orders must be made on a reservation basis. All Restricted Quantity pre-orders of Hang Ten must be made by 5:00 pm CST, Tuesday, November 15, 2011.Wine Creations - Contact Us
December: Hang Ten $139.95
The Wine
A luscious blend with flavours and aromas of peach, apricot, baked apple, and pear. This soft white wine also has a hint of tropical fruit.
Oak: 0
Body: 0
Sweetness: 2
Food pairing ideas
Pair your Hang Ten with Lobster Bisque, BBQ sausage or Baklava.
Due to this popularity and restricted availability, orders must be made on a reservation basis. All Restricted Quantity pre-orders of the following must be made by 5:00 pm CST, Saturday, December 3, 2011.Wine Creations - Contact Us
January: Toro $144.95
The Wine
Red ripe fruits with a little bit of anise, hay/straw, dried prune, cherries and blackcurrant entice the nose. Coffee with black pepper or dried leaves are layered with the sweetness of fresh cherries and strawberries.
Oak: 4
Body: 4
Sweetness: 0
March: Tango $144.95
The Wine
Rich flavours of ripened cherries and dried prunes carry throughout. The dark notes present a hint of chocolate or coffee. Aromas of eucalyptus, violets, black cherry and black currants entice the nose while the sweet ripe apple finish will have you wanting more especially if you like a blend of French and American oak chips.
Oak: 4
Body: 4
Sweetness: 0
Food pairing ideas
Pair your Tango with tomato soup, vegetable lasagne or Irish stew
April: Down Under Red $144.95
The Wine
The unique red, rich, fruit flavours are topped with aromas of red currants, chokeberry with hints of sour cherry and cherry. Dried fruit notes are present in the nose and dried prunes or figs in taste.
Oak: 3
Body: 3
Sweetness: 0
Food pairing ideas
Enjoy the Down Under Red with Osso Buco or Grilled Prime Steaks.
April: Down Under Rose' $139.95
The Wine
This Rosé offers floral notes of honey and flavours of strawberry, raspberry, fresh apples and fig. On the finish, it delivers extra light tannins and a slightly sweet finish.
Oak:0
Body:2
Sweetness:1
Food pairing ideas
Pair the Down Under Rosé with Greek salad, mussels or strawberry-rhubarb crisp.
Due to this popularity and restricted availability, orders must be made on a reservation basis. All Restricted Quantity pre-orders of Hang Ten must be made by 5:00 pm CST, Tuesday, November 15, 2011. All other Restricted Quantity pre-orders must be made by 5:00 pm CST, Saturday, December 3, 2011.Wine Creations - Contact Us