Greetings! Lots of solid values in the latest Chairman’s haul – hope you find something interesting!
Maison Aguila Cremant de Limoux Brut NV
$14.99
Limoux, France
PLCB Code# 78624 (In stores now)
“Y
east and toast on the nose. Apple and citrus, with elegant mouthfeel and caressing bubbles.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
Why this is good value: Situated in the southeastern corner of France very close to the Spanish border, the Limoux region is known for sparkling wines and some claim created their production method more than 100 years prior to the Monk Dom Perignon created Champagne. Historical claims notwithstanding, this sparkler (containing 65% Chardonnay, 25% Chenin Blanc, and 10% Mauzac) provides more floral nose than expected and a bursting mouthful of sharp green apple and undercurrent pear/citrus flavors supported by laser-cut acidity and persistent finish. Might pass for much more expensive sparkler in blind tasting! 91 Points Jack Brice
$9.99
PLCB Code# 78723 (560 cases expected in October)“Pale o
range. Warm red fruit and orange pith scents and flavors are accompanied by a subtle herbal flourish. Smooth and broad, offering good heft, solid punch and a touch of peppery spice on the finish.” 88 Points Vinous Media, August 2017
$11.99
Willamette Valley, Oregon
PLCB Code# 34629 (1,000 cases in stores now)“Dense a
nd textural, this immediately displays a strong minerality, in its mouthfeel and racy freshness. It further amplifies the tart, tight fruit flavors of apple and citrus, grapefruit and pineapple.” 90 Points Wine Enthusiast, August 1, 2016
$12.99
Loire Valley, France
PLCB Code# 78690 (1,500 cases in stores now)
“Crisp and clean with citrus and sea salt flavors.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
$13.99
Alsace, France
PLCB Code# 78632 (800 cases in stores now)
“Pretty apple and lemon drop. Perfect acid balance in a refreshing, crisp finish.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
$13.99
Monterrey County, California
PLCB Code# 78673 (2,000 cases in stores now)“Lemon and
citrus flavors, quite rich and ripe.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
$14.99
Columbia Valley, Washington
PLCB Code# 78687 (1,700 cases in stores now)
“Peach, apple, pear and mineral notes, pure and elegant in the mouth. A really special Chardonnay.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
$17.99
Savoie, France
PLCB Code# 78524 (800 cases ETA October)
“Stone fruit with fresh acidity and bright citrus flavors.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
$9.99
Sicily, Italy
PLCB Code# 78718 (600 cases in stores now)
“Dark plum and black fruits combine with a licorice and cherry spice note. Balanced and quite rich. Outstanding price!” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
$9.99
Portugal
PLCB Code# 78675 (In stores now)
“This blend of wines from Dão, Bairrada and Lisboa is ripe, full of black fruits and with subtle signs of the wood aging. Named to celebrate the Portuguese mariners who sailed to the spice islands of the East Indies, it is warm with its own spiciness as well as a juicy aftertaste. Drink now.” 90 points and a ‘Best Buy’ Wine Enthusiast, June 1, 2017
$10.99
Oregon
PLCB Code# 78686 (600 cases in stores now)
“Brambly with dark plum and cherry cola with layers of red fruit. Soft and elegant.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
$11.99
Languedoc, France
PLCB Code# 78653 (2,000 cases in stores now)
“Sinewy and savory, with dried strawberry, apricot and raspberry notes underpinned by herb, earth and spice notes. Shows power and focus. Syrah, Grenache, Carignan. Drink now through 2020.” 90 Points Wine Spectator, Dec 16, 2016
$12.99
Bordeaux, France
PLCB Code# 20759 (In stores now)
“Lovely nose here with orange rind, mushrooms and
hints of licorice. Juicy and round with silky tannins and a bright finish. Drink now.” 90 points James Suckling, February 2017
$13.99
Mendoza, Argentina
PLCB Code# 78697 (2,400 cases in stores now)
“…There is good ripeness and depth here, a mixture of red and black fruit with some spiciness and hints of rockrose and wild herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, with very nice balance, fine-grained tannin and very good length.” 91 Points Wine Advocate, Dec 30, 2016
$15.99
Bordeaux, France
PLCB Code# 31966 (Specialty Stores)
“Superb intense and very inviting aromas of sweet cassis black fruit, warm spicy oak and coffee. Lovely, mouth-filling palate of glossy delicious black fruit and well judged oak giving an appealing spicy undercurrent. Superb wine.” Platinum Award Winner 95 Points Decanter Magazine
Why this is good value: Despite the Chateau Malbec name (named after a regional Governor family of the late 1700s… not the grape) this wine contains only 5% Malbec – but that is ok, since the wine turned out very well! Dark purple in the glass with spice aromas, the wine contains 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and the aforementioned 5% Malbec with 50% of the wine aged 14 months in oak prior to bottling. Medium bodied, this red delivers broad flavors of polished black fruits leaning toward savoriness and cassis flavors flowing into a spicy finish. All elements are in fine balance which makes the wine most satisfying. 92 Points Jack Brice
$19.99
Willamette Valley, Oregon
PLCB Code# 78695 (850 cases in stores now)
“Sleek and vibrant, with floral and beet overtones to red berry and plum notes. Shows presence and pretty flavors that linger. Drink now through 2020.” 91 Points Wine Spectator, Feb 28, 2015
$24.99
Napa Valley, California
PLCB Code# 78717 (700 Cases in stores now)
“This wine is medium to full-bodied, brimming with flavors of black cherries, blueberries and plums along with notes of bramble, violets and vanilla.” Winemaker’s notes
“Elegant and Polished.” Steve Pollack, wine buyer for the Chairman’s Selection® program
Why this is good value: Lovely Napa Valley Cabernet characteristics – brambly nose with some violet notes – flavors are expansive and lush featuring blackberry, currant, cherry, oak and vanilla finishing with sweet tannin. Exactly as one expects from modern Napa Cabernet! 91 Points Jack Brice
$39.99
Spring Mountain, Napa Valley, California
PLCB Code# 78664 (250 Cases in stores now)
“A sexy offering from Havens, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring 
Mountain has a ruby/purple color with sweet creme de cassis fruit and floral notes. The wine is medium to full-bodied, luscious, elegant and pure. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.” 91 points Wine Advocate, December 31, 2015
Why this is good value: Spring Mountain district is famous for wines of significant depth with accompanying higher cost due to the relatively small production from the steep, difficult to farm, slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains above Napa Valley. A Spring Mountain Cabernet is a treat – this one, offered by Havens from purchased fruit delivers on the expectations. Deep color and violet aromas with super dense flavor packed into a medium to full structure, all nicely in balance. Very nice wine, better in 2-5 years. 92 Points Jack Brice
Jack Brice Wine 